





•^ %> 

* ^ 



V 



» • 



%<* A^ *(^ 


















O M • 






.//>^%\. >°'.-^^'>o w<-i>;^'>. 



<^°^ 



>°-nK 









0^ 



°^ 







*>* <.'»• 



^oV" 




• M 



















t • o 




















R*. 














0' V'"^''<»' 













Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2010 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/storiesofancientOOrico 



STORIES 



OF 



ANCIENT ROME. 



BY 



F. W. "illCOKD 



•X- 






NEW YORK: 
PUBLISHED BY M. W. DODD, 

BRICK CHURCH CHAPEL, CITY HALL SQUARE. 




1852. 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852, by 

M. W. D O D D , 
In the Clerk's Office for the Southern District of New York. 



D-^ 

-^^^v 



^-^ 



8TKRK0TYPKD BY THOMAS fe. SMITH, 
216 WILLIAM STREET, N. T. 



The author would simply state, that this little 
volume is intended as the first of a connected series, 
devoted to the most important events of Roman his- 
tory, from its commencement, to the destruction of 
the Roman Empire. In itself, it is a complete account 
of the establishment and growth of Rome, up to the 
time of the expulsion of the kings, and the foundation 
of the Republic. While the wants and capacities of 
the young have been chiefly consulted in its prep- 
aration, care has also been taken to render it agreea- 
ble and instructive to the general reader. The 
works of Livy and Dionysius of Halicarnassus have 
been mainly relied upon, for the incidents which are 
related. The simple statements of the former are 
amplified by aid of the more minute details of the 
latter, with a desire, on the part of the author, to 



viii Pkepace. 

satisfy curiosity without incurring the charge of pro- 
lixity. 

The second volume, entitled Stories of the 
Roman Republic, is nearly completed, and will ap- 
pear with as little delay as possible. 

Newark, N. J,, August, 1852. 



arrnngBmBBt. 



PAGE 

I. — Romulus 15 

IL WUMA POMPILIUS 69 

III. TULLUS HOSTILIUS 99 

IV. — Angus Margius 143 

V. — Tarquinius Priscus 165 

VI. — Servius Tullius 201 

VII. — Tarquinius Superbus 255 




MAP OF ROME. p. 13. 



3lltiBfratiDii3» 



FAGB 

Discovery of Romulus and Remus Frontispiece. 

Map of Rome 13 

NuMA closing the Temple of Janus 11 

Fight between the Horatii and the Curatii 101 

The Omen granted to Tarquinius Priscus 161 

TULLIA DRIVING OVER THE DEAD BODT OF HER FaTHER. . 209 

Brutus and his Companions 251 



ROMULUS 



FROM 752 TO 714 B.C. 



RoiiE and the Surrounding Country — Various Tribes of 
Aborigines — Modes of Building — Cities of the Ancient 
Latins — Story of Nuniitor and AmuUus — Worsliip of the 
Goddess Vesta — Birth of Romulus and Remus — Their Expos- 
ure upon the Banks of the Tiber, and Miraculous Rescue — 
Their Education — Discovery of their Parentage — Their Re- 
venge — Their Resolution to Build a City — Augury — Death 
of Remus — Founding of Rome — Institution of the Laws — 
Capture of the Sabine Women — Slaughter of the Caininen- 
sians — Stratagem of the Sabines — Story of Tarpeia — Death 
of Hostus Hostilius — Conduct of the Sabine Women — Union 
between the Sabines and Romans — Difficulty between their 
Kings — Death of King Tatius — War with the Eidenatians 
and Veientians — Pride of Romulus — Division of the Lands — ■ 
Trouble between Romulus and the Senate — Death of Romu- 
lus — Story of Proculus — Romulus Deified. 



1^ ii) n i i|g. 



MoEE than twenty-five hundred years have 
now elapsed since the foundation of that won- 
derful, and, as it is called, " Eternal City," 
Rome. What changes have taken place in 
the world during this period ! How many 
new countries have been discovered ; how 
many new nations have sprung up ; how many 
governments have been created and destroy- 
ed ; how many magnificent cities have been 
built and crumbled in the dust, while Home 
still stands, not indeed in all its former gran- 
deur, though beauty and dignity still linger 
around its walls. 

Italy, the country of which Home is con- 
sidered the centre, has been celebra;ted in all 
ages as the most fertile ^nd most desirable 
land of thQ world. Its delieioiis fruits^ its 
corn, its wine, its soil and cattle f^rm not its 



18 Stoeies of Rome. 

only wealth ; metals of every kind, minerals, 
stone and timber here too abound ; in short, 
it is a land affording everything that can ad- 
minister comfort or pleasure ; possessing a 
climate that has always stood unrivalled, and 
presenting a surface unsurpassed for its beau- 
tiful diversity of bays, promontories, rivers, 
mountains, hills and plains. 

Before the establishment of the Roman 
power, this country was occupied by numer- 
ous and independent nations, among whom 
the most considerable were the Aborigines, a 
name always given to those inhabitants of a 
country whose derivation is uncertain. Of 
these Aborigines there were various tribes ; 
as, for example, the Latins, the Umbrians, 
the Rutuli, etc., who enjoyed in their separate 
cities the blessings of liberty and equality. 
Besides these, there were also the Etrurians, 
who had sprung from colonies sent out from 
Lydia and Thessaly. The Sabines, who finally 
became blended with the Romans, were a tribe 
of the Umbrians who had been separated 
from their fellows by the Etrurians, before 
whose victorious arms they were obli^'ed to 

fly- 

These were all confined to their respective 
cities. JSTations at that period were more con- 



Romulus. i9 

centrated than at the present time. There 
were then no little villages dotting the 
country's surface ; no farm-houses or country- 
seats, smTounded by luxuriant fields, and en- 
livened by the appearance of the busy hus- 
bandmen. The luxuriant fields and the busy 
laborers were not wanting, it is true, but the 
owners of the fields were also the owners of 
the laborers, and, dwelling in the cities, they 
cared little for beautifying or improving their 
estates. Italy was not divided by a thousand 
roads running in every direction and teeming 
with life ; but it was not for want of a large 
population, for some of these cities were im- 
mense, supporting vast armies, and possessing 
inhabitants sufficient to overrun the whole 
country. The roads of Italy were compara- 
tively few, extending only from city to city. 

The mode of building at that period was 
very difierent from that of the present time. 
It was peculiar to the early ages, and adaf)ted 
to the wants of people who were always united 
in such solid masses. 'No cities were built 
without first erecting the high walls which 
were to surround them. These were for de- 
fences from enemies that might attack them, 
for it often happened that a large nation 
would be confined to the limits of a single 



20 Stories of Rome. 

citj, surrounded closely on every side by 
nations equally powerful, tliougli under differ- 
ent rulers, jealous of superiority^, and perhaps 
ready at any moment to profit by incursions 
upon an unwary neighbor. Cities, too, were 
built with surprising rapidity, because they 
were always founded by large and strong 
colonies, anxious to increase and strengthen 
themselves with the utmost speed. 

Thus it was that the city of Kome was 
established ; but before hastening to this 
event, so important in the history of the whole 
world, it will be better to give some account 
of the origin of the extraordinary man who 
founded it — Romulus. 

Long before Rome was built, the Latins had 
founded, near its site, a large and flourishing 
city, to which they gave the name of Alba. 
Alba had already stood four hundred years, 
ruled by a race of kings famous for their war- 
like exploits and notoi:ious for their ambition 
and love of power. This city, and Lavinium, 
which was built by ^neas and a band of 
Trojans, soon after the destruction of Troy, are 
called the cities of the ancient Latins. 

The kings of Alba were thus able to boast 
of a line of ancestors long and proud, and the 
spirit and ambition of Romulus may be easily 



EOMULUS. 21 

accounted for by the fact that he was their 
descendant. It will not be necessary here to 
trace back his ancestry beyond Procas, his 
great-grandfather. 

This king had two sons, of whom the elder 
was named ]^iimitor and the younger Amulius. 
J!^umitor was a quiet, unwarlike man, while 
Amulius was haughty, ambitious, devoid of 
principle, utterly reckless of the rights of 
others, and ready to use the basest means to 
promote his own selfish purposes. 

When the old Procas was about to die, he 
made known to his two sons that it was his 
wish that l^umitor should ascend his throne. 
To him, as the elder, it would belong by right, 
but he no doubt thought, that under his ad- 
ministration the Albans would be more likely 
to enjoy peace and prosperity. 

The old man died, and JSTumitor was about 
assuming the reins of government ; but the 
crafty and ambitious Amulius had laid his 
]3lans for defeating his brother, and taking 
possession himself of the throne left vacant 
by their father. He contrived to gain the 
sympathy of the people ; he impressed them 
with the idea that l^umitor was weak and 
unfit to rule, and gave them great assurance 
of his own superior courage and ability to 



22 Stories of Rome. 

lead them on in prosperity and greatness. 
I^umitor necessarily fell ; his brother did not 
fear him, and therefore suffered him to live, 
even assigning to him lands and a suitable 
dwelling within the city. But he feared the 
offspring of J^umitor. True, they were yet 
too yoimg to rise and revenge their injured 
father, but they were growing up, and he 
trembled lest they might possess a spirit 
that would cope with his. So long then as 
they lived he felt his throne to be insecure. 
Their destruction, therefore, must be accom- 
plished ; and this was a step which the un- 
principled Amulius would not hesitate a 
moment to take, if he felt it at all necessary 
to his interests. The sons of ^umitor were 
accordingly slain without a single exception. 
The barbarous brother left him not one of all 
his household, save a little daughter, whom he 
doubtless supposed too much like her father to 
be a terror to his evil spirit. 

This little daughter was named Rhea Silvia. 
She soon grew up to womanhood. She was 
beautiful ; the daughter of a royal race, and 
likely perhaps to find some royal husband. 
Amulius foresaw this, and he could not think 
of it without the most fearful misgivings. 
Silvia now became the object of his terror. 



Romulus. 23 

He could not regard her except with dread, 
and his evil heart seemed to prompt him to 
think that through her would arise the avenger 
of his poor down-trodden brother. What 
should he do with Silvia? Should he tear 
her too from her father's bosom? Should he 
plunge into her the sword that had drunk the 
blood of her little helpless brothers ? Monster 
as he was, he dared not do it. Concealing 
his horrid thoughts, he sought the gentle 
Silvia ; he spoke most graciously to her ; he 
made her forget the blackness of his charac- 
ter ; he persuaded her that he was her friend, 
her benefactor, anxious and eager to promote 
her happiness and honor. Child-like, she 
felt flattered bj such attentions, and was soon 
willing to submit to any commands which her 
uncle might impose upon her. 

IS^ow, there was built in the city of Alba a 
temple dedicated to the goddess Yesta, a 
national tutelary divinity, whose worship was 
performed with the most solemn rites. The 
priestesses of this goddess were placed in her 
temple at an early age. To be a priestess 
was considered a great honor, but it was an 
honor purchased at a heavy price, for all who 
entered upon the service were shut - up as if 
in prison, and never permitted to leave its 



24 Stories of Rome. 

walls and enter again iij)on tlie business and 
pleasures of the world. Marriage, above all 
things, was most strictly forbidden, and the 
poor priestesses were even compelled to take 
a solemn oath never to associate with any 
person not of their own sex. In no place, 
thought Amulius, can Silvia be more safely 
lodged than here ; and, here once imprisoned, 
neither she nor her father can ever more cause 
me anxiety about my throne. 

He had no difficulty in persuading Silvia 
to devote herself to the service of the goddess. 
She was placed within the walls of the tem- 
ple, and he hoped never to see or hear of her 
again. Who can describe the rage of the 
king, when, a few months after, a messenger 
was despatched to the palace to inform him 
that Silvia was the mother of two infant sons ? 
He fancied his throne was already sinking 
beneath him, and, in a transport of anger, 
caused the hapless woman to be loaded with 
chains, and ordered her offspring to be thrown 
into the river Tiber. 

It was a hard sentence, but the remorseless 
monarch was resolved that it should be rigid- 
ly enforced. Better perhaps would it have 
been for him, had he attended personally to 
its execution. According to his directions, 



Romulus. 25 

the babes were taken by a servant and carried 
to the shores of the. river. Fortunately for 
them, but unfortunately for the king, the river 
had overflowed its banks. The sei^ant wan- 
dered about in the shallow water unable or 
afraid to approach the channel, and, finally, 
wearied of his task, he laid down the infants, 
thinking that if the waters did not destroy 
them they would at last perish with hunger* 
He lived, however, to discover his error. The 
parched earth soon drank up the waters, and 
the children were left exposed upon the dry 
ground, crying lustily for the embrace from 
which they had been so ruthlessly torn. 

What is now reported to have happened to 
them seems too extraordinary for belief; still 
it is so gravely asserted by various historians 
that its suppression would be almost unpar- 
donable. 

The cries of the children thus abandoned 
were heard by a she-wolf that had come down 
from the mountains to quench her thirst. She 
ran eagerly towards them, and, apparently 
understanding their piteous moans, stooped 
fondly over them, licked their little limbs, and 
ministered, as well as was in her power, to 
their wants. At no great distance from the 
place, and in various directions, were station- 



26 Stories of Home. 

ed eheplierds, in charge of their respective 
flocks. It happened that one of these, named 
Fanstulus, observed this extraordinary affair. 
Hastening to the spot, he drove away the 
children's kind foster-mother, and, taking 
them np in his arms, carried them to his own 
hut and placed them under the care of his 
wife Lucretia. Here they received the kind- 
est attention. Faustulus suspected them to 
be no ordinary children, and hoped some day 
to find a clue to their mysterious history. In 
the meantime he taught them to caU him 
father, and, when they were yet scarce old 
enough to totter about, he would take them 
out among the hills, near by, where they soon 
acquired hardiness and a love of freedom. 
Even while yet scarce old enough to be trusted 
out of sight, they would wander away from 
their solicitous protector. The neighboring 
forests and mountains had raised their curios- 
ity, and the exploration of these soon became 
their daily occupation. Faustulus, willing 
to add to their enjoyment, provided them 
with bows and arrows, by means of which 
they ere long furnished their table with the 
choicest game. They soon began to make 
themselves useful to the shepherds by defend- 
ing the flocks against the attacks of wild 



ROMIJLTTS. 27 

beasts ; and the shepherds themselves soon 
began to admire and respect them for their 
superiority of mind, their dignity of appear- 
ance, and the courage and activity which they 
constantly displayed. 

Their successful encounters with the wild 
beasts emboldened them, at length, to attack 
the numerous robbers that infested the region 
around them. This they did with equal suc- 
cess, bringing home their spoils to be divided 
with the shepherds. Their respectful asso- 
ciates thus became faithful friends, and were 
ready not only to serve them but to submit to 
their commands. 

About this time an event, which wonder- 
fully effected their destiny, occurred at a 
yearly festival called the Lupercalia. This 
feast was instituted in honor of the god Pan, 
surnamed Lupercus, the defender from wolves, 
and was always celebrated with the greatest 
enthusiasm. While the shepherds and their 
families were intently occupied in the sports 
and games, customary upon these occasions, 
a band of those robbers, who had suffered so 
much at the hands of the two youths, Rom- 
ulus and Remus, suddenly burst into the 
midst of the excited throng. The shepherds 
were taken by surprise ; they were unpre- 



28 Stoeies of Home. 

pared for the encounter, and made but a very 
feeble resistance. The rage of the robbers 
seemed to be chiefly directed against Romulus 
and Kemus, whose capture they were intent 
upon accomplishing. Romulus met them 
boldly, and defended himself so obstinately, 
that his opponents were glad to let him es- 
cape ; but Remus was taken prisoner and 
carried away into the mountains. 

It seems that King Amulius had frequently, 
but ineffectually, attempted to repress these 
troublesome robbers. The unsuccessful con- 
tests which he had carried on with them, far 
from checking or even intimidating them, 
seemed only to increase their boldness and 
inflame them with revenge. These, accord- 
ingly, who had taken Remus prisoner, resolved 
that an innocent man should be punished as a 
robber by their own enemies. They carried 
him, therefore, to king Amulius, and auda- 
ciously accused him and his brother Romu- 
lus of criminal misbehavior. The principal 
charge urged against them was, that they had 
made incursions upon the lands of l^umitor, 
and, with a band of youths which they had 
collected, plundered the country in a hostile 
manner. The base accusers were graciously 
received and dismissed, while the innocent 



ROMULTIS. 29 

Remus was harshly treated and sent by the 
king to ISTumitor for punishment. 

This, as will appear, was an unfortunate pro- 
ceeding on the part of Amulius, for he little 
dreamed of the relationship existing between 
the unfortunate prisoner and the abused ISTumi- 
tor. But Faustulus, the shepherd, who had 
taken him and his brother from the guardian- 
ship of the wolf, had, for a long time, entertain- 
ed hopes that his now manly proteges would 
prove to be of royal birth. He had learned 
that the infant children of Khea Silvia had 
been cast into the river by order of king Amu- 
lius, and this event, he found, corresponded ex- 
actly with the time of his discovery of Romulus 
and Remus. To them he had indeed communi- 
cated some of the circumstances of their early 
history, but had not as yet uttered his sus- 
picions concerning their parentage, leaving 
them to suppose him to be their father. 
When, therefore, Remus was brought into 
the presence of his grandfather Numitor, he 
met him with no extraordinary emotions, re- 
garding him, perhaps, rather with pity on 
account of the comparatively humble condition 
to which the ambition of AmuUus had reduced 
him. JSTot so with l^umitor ; his eyes were 
no sooner fixed upon Remus than he was 



80 Stokies of Eome. 

seized with the idea that the youth was no 
common shepherd, robber, or mean-born peas- 
ant. His fine, majestic form, his piercing 
eye, his easy manner, and calmness of mind 
indicated, at once, that there was nothing 
servile in his nature. The thought of his own 
long-lost grand-children flashed across his 
mind, and — "Who is this youth?" was his 
first mental ejaculation. Smiling kindly upon 
him, he informed him of the crime of which 
he had been accused, and, without waiting 
for his defence, immediately began to ques- 
tion him concerning his family and birth. 

Whereupon Remus boldly replied — " I will 
hide nothing from you, for you behave in a 
more princely manner than Amulius, since 
you hear and examine before you punish, but 
he has delivered us up without making any 
inquiry into the matter. I have a twin-brother, 
and hitherto we have believed ourselves the 
sons of Faustulus and Lucretia, servants of 
the king. But since we have been accused 
before you, and are so accused by slander as 
to be in danger of our lives, we hear nobler 
things concerning our birth. Whether they 
are true or not, the present crisis will show. 
Our birth is said to have been secret ; our 
support in our infancy miraculous. We were 



RoMULJfe- 31 

exj)osed to birds and wild beasts, and by them 
nourished ; suckled by a she-wolf and fed by 
the attention of a woodpecker as we lay ex- 
posed upon the banks of the great river." 

To all this I^umitor listened with the deepest 
interest, and by comparing the time since his 
grand-children were carried away, with the 
looks of the young men, he was confirmed in 
the belief that these must be the offspring of 
Silvia. He therefore caused Remus to be 
23roperly secured, and immediately instituted 
inquiries respecting him and his brother 
Romulus. The accounts which he thus pro- 
cured corresponded with the story of the 
young man, and he could no longer doubt 
that he had found his lamented grand-chil- 
dren. 'No time was lost in communicating to 
Remus his suspicions, and the pleasing assur- 
ance which he felt as to their correctness. He 
also related to him the cruel story of his own 
wrongs, the base conduct of Amulius, and his 
fears for the safety of himself and brother, in 
case their story should reach the ears of the 
king. The result of this was a plot against 
the king's life. 

In the meantime, Romulus hearing of the 
critical condition of his brother, assembled 
his rustic followers, with the intention of rush- 



32 Stories of Rome. 

ing immediately to Jhis rescue. Faiistulus 
liowever interposed, and, now for the first 
time, informed him of his suspicions, gave 
him a correct account of his exposure and dis- 
coYer J upon the banks of the Tiber ; told him 
the story of Rhea Silvea, with its attending cir- 
cumstances, and advised him to go privately to 
Alba and make himself known to l^umitor. 
Proud of such a noble ancestry, and eager to 
show his claims to it by promptly revenging the 
injuries done to his grandfather, he set out. 

There was no difficulty in getting access to 
ISTumitor. He found him, in his own house, 
closely engaged with Remus in concerting mea- 
sures for the dethronement of the unv/orthy 
king. His arrival was in the highest degree 
grateful to both ; by the one he was tenderly 
embraced as a brother, and by the other as a 
newly found grandson . 'No time was lost in un- 
necessary congratulations. Their course of pro- 
ceeding was immediately laid out. In pursu- 
ance of it, Remus went secretly about among 
the friends of Numitor, engaged them in his 
service, and soon, through their assistance, 
procured a large party to go against the king. 

Romulus in the meantime hastened to the 
shepherds ; he called them together and an- 
nounced to them his determination to over- 



KoMULus. 33 

throw King Amulius. His will was law among 
his followers, and they accordingly rallied 
around him in large numbers. Placing him- 
self at their head, he marched towards Alba, 
and, by proper management, was able to enter 
the city without suspicion. Having commu- 
nicated his arrival to Remus, their united 
forces were quietly brought into the vicinity 
of the palace. In order to insure success to 
their enterprise, it was now necessary to at- 
tract the attention of the people to some other 
quarter. According, therefore, to a well- 
concerted j)^an, ITumitor and some of his 
friends rushed into the streets and ran about, 
crying that the city was assaulted by an ene- 
my, and begging the people to hasten, at once, 
to the protection of the citadel. This the 
Alban youth delayed not to do, and their prin- 
cipal forces were soon gathered in this place. 
In the midst of all the tumult Homulus and 
Remus, with their respective bands, broke 
through the doors of the palace. With eager- 
ness they sought the apartment of the king ; 
there was nothing to oppose their progress, 
and the work of death was soon accomplished. 
Thus Amulius, after having so long occupied 
the throne of his unfortunate brother, was 
driven from it, and slain by that brother's 

3 



34 Stoeies of Rome. 

granclcliildren. The news was immediately 
carried to J^umitor, who, prepared for its re- 
ception, w^as gathering around him a large 
number of the citizens. 'No sooner did he 
hear it, than he caused the people to draw 
near and listen to what he should say. He 
stood boldly up before them, an old gray- 
headed man ; honesty was written upon every 
lineament of his face, and truth gave energy 
and eloquence to his tongue. He gave to 
them the story of his youth ; the high hopes 
which he once had of succeeding his father 
Procas as their king, and as the leader of their 
armies ; he brought back to their memory the 
now almost forgotten history of his wrongs ; 
he told them in touching language of the little 
sons that had been cruelly taken from his 
arms and slain ; he recounted to them the 
story of his only daughter Hhea Silvia ; how 
she had been ensnared and persuaded, con- 
trary to her better judgment, to bind herself 
a priestess of the goddess Yesta ; how that in 
the temple she had given birth to twin sons, 
who, by the order of the king, had been torn 
from her arms and cast upon the banks of the 
river Tiber ; how that these his little grand- 
children had been there discovered and 
brought up, and had shown themselves to be 



Romulus. 35 

men fully worthy of tlieir noble origin. Thus, 
leading them on stej) by step, from pity of his 
misfortunes, to admiration of his forbearance 
and generous conduct, he finally closed by 
proclaiming to them that Amnlius was dead : 
justly slain for his numerous and enormous 
crimes. Scarcely had he finished s^Dcaking 
than the two royal youths, Komulus and Re- 
mus, advancing at the head of their followers 
through the midst of the assembly, saluted 
their grandfather as king. The multitude 
delayed not to give their assent, and, by uni- 
versal acclamation, N^umitor ascended the 
throne of Alba. 

It cannot be supposed that two individuals, 
possessing such restless spirits, and who had 
from early infancy led such active lives, could 
now settle down as quiet and unambitious 
citizens. Genius will always cause its posses- 
sor to rise ; superior intellect will ever com- 
mand. The history of every nation and age 
corroborates this. 

Romulus and Remus could not bear to be- 
come mere subjects of their grandfather 'Nu.- 
mitor. They had already acquired a com- 
mand over the shepherds among whom they 
were brought up. To lay aside this authority, 
and become simple attendants upon Numitor, 



36 Stories of Rome. 

scarcely accorded witli their ambitious views ; 
to possess themselves of his power was equal- 
ly disagreeable, so their ambition could be 
satisfied only by founding a settlement for 
themselves. 

Casting about them for a suitable location, 
their thoughts naturally reverted to the scenes 
of their childhood, the banks of the Tiber. 
A resolution was soon formed to proceed to 
the spot with their followers and such of the 
Albans and Latins as could be induced to 
join them. So popular were they, that no 
less than fifteen hundred adventurers chose 
to follow their fortunes. 

Up to the moment of their return to the 
banks of the Tiber, these noble youths had 
lived upon terms of the most tender friend- 
ship, sharing alike in all their sports, their 
toils and triumphs. For the first time, they 
now regarded one another with a jealous eye. 
Others, seeking to build fortunes upon their 
success, espoused the interests of each ac- 
cording as they thought it might best subserve 
their own ends. Parties, which almost always 
originate in the selfishness of a few individuals, 
were thus formed. The friends of Remus 
could, of course, rise only in proj)ortion to his 
elevation, and those of Romulus, only as he 



ROMULTJS. 37 

could be exalted. That a contest should en- 
sue was not wonderful ; that it should termi- 
nate so tragically was quite probable. 

The two brothers and their followers had 
scarcely arrived in the neighborhood of their 
old homes, ere they discovered that it would 
be impossible for them to unite in naming and 
regulating the city that they were about to 
build. Power, they found, could not be di- 
vided between them ; and, with an apparent 
wish to do right, they resolved that the gods 
should decide which of them must serve the 
other. Accordingly, as soon as they reached 
the banks of the Tiber, they submitted their 
fortunes to the decision of chance, 

■Augury, or the foretelling of events by the 
movements of birds, was at this time, held in 
high estimation. Scarcely any affair of con- 
sequence, either public or private, was under- 
taken without consulting the flight of these 
animals. They were regarded as the inter- 
preters of the gods, and those who were qual- 
ified to understand their oracles were esteemed 
among the first men in the Greek and Eoman 
States. It was to this test that Romulus and 
Remus resolved to submit their respective 
claims. Repairing to the hills, upon which 
the city was subsequently built, Romulus 



88 Stories of Rome. 

chose the Palatine and Eemns the Aventine 
Mount as the consecrated stands to wait the 
anguries. Remus had not long occupied his 
position when six vultures wheeled through 
the air close by him. Regarding this as a 
favorable omen, he and his followers descei^d- 
ed the hill for the purpose of acquainting 
Romulus of his success. They had however 
scarcely proclaimed it when twelve vultures 
appeared to Romulus, who was still waiting 
the answer of the gods. Both were now sa- 
luted as king and both claimed the title; the 
one because he had seen the omen first, the 
other because the greatest number of birds 
had appeared to him. A quarrel immediately 
took place between them. From angry words 
they soon came to blows. A tumult ensued ; 
death-strokes were dealt on every side, and 
when, finally, peace was restored, it was be- 
cause there was no further cause for discord. 
Romulus was now king ; Remus lay dead upon 
the ground.* 

This was indeed a sad beginning for the 

* There is another account more generally received, that 
Remus, in derision of his brother, leaped over the new wall, 
and that Romulus enraged thereat slew him, saying at the 
same time — " So perish every one that shall hereafter leap 
over my wall." 



ItOMULUS. 39 

new kingdom, thongli it did not at all delay 
its progress. The dead Renins was soon 
buried, and who was his mnrderer became, 
and will ever remain a profound mystery. 
Romulus did not go foiVard in the work of 
building his city, without often calling to 
mind, the happy days passed with his broth- 
er Kemus in rambling about the banks of the 
Tiber, in dancing to the rude music of the 
shepherds, in hunting the beasts that preyed 
upon their tender flocks, and in hearing the 
daily praises of their deeds. Often would he 
have willingly changed all his glory for the 
companionship of Remus. 

The work commenced. A circular ditch 
was dug about what was called the Comitium, 
a place where public assemblies were held, 
and in this were cast the first fruits of every- 
thing that is reckoned either good by use, or 
necessary by nature. After this, each one 
present threw in a small quantity of earth 
from the country whence he came. Romu- 
lus then took a plough, and yoking to it a 
bull and a cow described, himself, a large 
circle as the boundaries of the city, using the 
Comitium as a centre. The Colonists followed 
him, turning all the clods, raised by the plough, 
inward to the city. Wherever they designed 



40 Stories of Home. 

having a gate, they took the plough-share out 
of the ground and carried it over the allotted 
space. It was from this circumstance that 
the gates obtained the name of ports, from the 
Latin word j[)orto^ meaning to carry. A space 
was left within the city, between the walls and 
the houses, where it was not permitted to 
build; and, without the walls, a like space all 
around them was kept uncultivated. This 
unoccupied ground was called the Pomerium. 
The building of the city now went on with 
great rapidity : edifice after edifice was com- 
pleted, and everything about them gave evi- 
dence of a large and thriving town. 

The walls and much of the work being 
done, Romulus called together an assembly 
of the people, in order to know from them 
what kind of a government they would wish 
to establish. He represented to them that 
the force of arms, which is acquired by courage 
and exercise, is a firm compact against foreign 
enemies; that the union of citizens, is the 
most sovereign preservative against domestic 
troubles, and that this can reign in a republic 
only when private individuals regulate their 
lives by justice and temperance. He then 
recounted to them the difierent kinds of gov- 
ernment used among different people^ show- 



ROMTJLTJS. 41 

ing the advantages and inconveniences of 
eacli. He added, that it belonged to them to 
consult and decide whether they would pre- 
fer to be governed by a single or by a small 
number of magistrates, or whether they wish- 
ed a government purely democratic. He told 
them that he was ready to conform himself 
to whatever form of government they might 
select, adding, that, although he did not feel 
himself unworthy to command them, still he 
refused not to obey ; that he was contented 
with the honors that they had conferred upon 
him, in making him chief of the Colony, and 
in giving his name to the city which they had 
just built. 

After Romulus had spoken in this manner, 
the people deliberated upon the course to be 
pursued. The deliberation was not long, and 
they concluded by ui'ging him to take uj)on 
himself the charge of government. He ac- 
cepted the oifer, and performed the sacrifices 
usual upon such occasions. 

In order to incorporate his subjects as one 
people, he gave them a body of laws, and, 
judging that these laws would be more respect- 
ed by adding dignity to his own appearance, 
he assumed the ensigns of sovereignty and 
appointed a guard of twelve persons to be in 



42 Stoeies of Rome. 

constant attendance upon him. These were 
called lictors, and it is siipj)osed that he fixed 
upon the number twelve, as that was the num- 
ber of birds in the augmy which had portend- 
ed the kingdom to him. 

Eomulus had resolved to build a great 
city. The number of his houses, was not, 
therefore, limited to the number of his follow- 
ers, but rather proportioned to the number of 
those whom he hoped to secure. In order 
that these might more speedily increase, he 
opened a sanctuary, or place of safety, in the 
city, for all who might choose to avail them- 
selves of it. Thither fled, from the neighbor- 
ing States, crowds of all sorts, freemen and 
slaves, good and bad, led either by curiosity 
or a desire to better their condition. That 
this increasing strength might be properl}^ 
regulated, he instituted an order of nobles, 
whom he called Senators. A hmidred of 
these were created, and it is supposed that 
this number included all that could prove 
their descent from respectable families. They 
were styled Fathers, and their descendants. 
Patricians. 

Romulus now saw himself the sovereign 
of a powerful State. Everything was in the 
most prosperous condition. The government 



ROMULFS. 43 

was placed upon a solid basis, and an army 
was organized that could cope with that of 
any neighboring nation. He looked around, 
however, in despair of a continuance of this 
prosperous condition, for very few of his citi- 
zens were provided with wives, and, as there 
were scarcely any females in the city, he 
feared lest his subjects might forsake him. 

To guard therefore against the desertion of 
his people, he and his Senate resolved to send 
ambassadors to the adjoining states, soliciting 
their alliance and permission for his new sub- 
jects to marry among them. He intimated 
to them that cities, like everything else, rise 
from low beginnings ; that, in time, those 
which are supported by their o\\ti merit, and 
the favor of the gods, procure to themselves 
great power and a great name ; and that he 
had full assurance, both that the gods favored 
the founding of Rome, and that the people 
would not be deficient in merit. His ambas- 
sadors, however, obtained favor nowhere. 
The surrounding people entertained for them 
the greatest contempt, not unmixed, however, 
with fear of their growing power. By the 
greater part they were dismissed with the 
question — "Whether thej had opened an 
assylum also for women, for that would be the 



44: Stories of Rome. 

only way to procure suitable matches for 
them." 

It may readily be supposed that sucli treat- 
ment would be ill received, if not resented 
by Romulus and the proud young Romans 
around him. So indeed it was, and the re- 
venge which they took was ample enough. 
Dissembling, as well as possible, the indignity 
offered to him and his people, he made great 
preparations for the celebration of solemn 
games in honor of the equestrian Neptune, so 
called from his having produced the first horse 
from the earth by a stroke of his trident. The 
celebration of these games he caused to be 
proclaimed throughout all the adjoining 
States, and nothing was omitted which might 
attract attention to them. So magnificent 
were his arrangements that the utmost curios- 
ity was excited far and near. Scarcely any- 
thing was spoken of but Romulus and the ap- 
proaching games. Expectation rose to the 
highest pitch, and the appointed day seemed 
too slow in its coming. It came at last, and 
with it also came crowds of people from all 
the country surrounding the now famous city. 
The Caeninensians, the Crustuminians, the 
Antemnatians, and especially great multi- 
tudes of the Sabines, with their wives and 



Romulus. 45 

children, poured through all the gates of 
Rome. The sincerest hosjDitality was mani- 
fested towards them. They were invited to 
visit all the different parts of the city; the 
fortifications, baths and public grounds. 
When the time approached for the commence- 
ment of the games, the immense circus was 
thrown open, and the strangers urged to 
occupy the best positions within its ample 
walls. Everything seemed prepared with 
especial reference to their pleasure and ac- 
commodation ; and praises of Roman hospi- 
tality were sounded on every side. 

So soon as the great circus, where the games 
were to be held, was well filled, Romulus en- 
tered, and placed himself upon a gorgeous tri- 
bunal which overlooked every part of the vast 
arena. At a signal from him the games began, 
and all eyes and thoughts were immediately 
riveted upon the various combatants. The 
Roman youths, heedless of the sports going 
on before them, kept their eyes fastened upon 
Romulus alone, and he too, unoccuj)ied with 
anything else, was simply watching the mo- 
ment when the excited throng should be 
wholly absorbed in the game. The moment 
was not long deferred, and when Romulus 
saw that a more favorable op23ortunity would 



46 Stoeiesof Eome. 

not probably arrive, according to a precon- 
certed plan, lie rose slowly from his seat and 
drew his robe around him. In an instant, the 
Koman yonth, who had well arranged them- 
selves for the occasion, rushed sword in hand 
into the midst of the unsuspecting multitude. 
Overturning the unarmed men who opposed 
them, they seized upon the terrified females, 
whom they bore off almost without exception 
to their respective homes. So sudden, was 
the attack, so well concerted their measures, 
and so successfully was everything accom- 
plished, that, before the husbands or fathers 
could recover from their shock, their wives 
and daughters were placed far beyond their 
reach. 

The games were of course brought to a 
speedy close, and those who were permitted 
to retire left the city full of grief, uttering the 
most bitter curses against a people who could 
thus violate all the laws of hospitality, and 
calling upon the gods for vengeance. The 
women who were seized were equally indig- 
nant, and it was only with the greatest diffi- 
culty that their anger and grief could be 
overcome. Komulus, whose eloquence seemed 
not the least among his wonderful talents, 
went about in person among them, and en- 



Romulus. 47 

deavored to console and reconcile them to 
their condition. He told them that this pro- 
ceeding had been occasioned by the haughti- 
ness of their parents, who refused to allow 
their neighbors to marry among them ; that, 
notwithstanding this, they should be united to 
his people in wedlock, in the common enjoy- 
ment of all property and of their common 
children. He begged of them to soften their 
resentment, and to bestow their affection upon 
those to whom chance had given them. " It 
often happened," he said, " that to harsh 
treatment mutual regard had succeeded, and 
they would find their husbands behave better 
on this very account ; and every one would 
exert himself not merely in performing his 
duty as a husband, but to make up to them 
the loss of their parents and their country." 

These ill-fated women were not deceived in 
the assurances of Romulus. His example, as 
well as a desire to secure his favor, procured, 
on the part of his subjects, the most gentle 
treatment towards their captive wives ; and it 
was not long before they became reconciled 
to a situation, which, at first, they could re- 
gard only with the utmost horror. It was not 
so, however, with their parents and friends. 
Hatred and revenge still continued to burn in 



4:8 Stories of Rome. 

their bosoms, and it was with bitter complaints 
and tears, and even in the garb of mourners 
that they sought to rouse one another, and the 
neighboring nations, to punish the destroyers 
of their domestic happiness. The Caeninen- 
sians, impatient of the delay of the other suf- 
ferers, resolved, alone, to take the matter in 
their hands. They accordingly mustered all 
their force, and made an irruption into the 
Homan territories ; but the disorderly manner 
in which they carried on their warfare proved 
disastrous to them. Romulus assembled his 
troops and sallied out to meet them. Before 
his well-discijDlined soldiers they were unable 
to make a long resistance. Their army was 
completely routed and dispersed ; but not 
contented with this, Romulus pursued them, 
stripped them of their arms, slew their king, 
seized his spoils, and pushing onward even as 
far as their city, assaulted and took possession 
of it. So sj)lendid an achievement was likely 
to carry respect if not terror with the Roman 
name, and Romulus, aware of this, was re- 
solved to tm-n it to the most advantage. His 
victorious troops were accordingly led home 
with the greatest display. A long triumphal 
procession was formed ; the spoils of the de- 
feated and slain king were conspicuously 



EOMTJLUS. 49 

carried on a large frame, and, with music and 
otlier manifestations of joy, they marched to- 
wards the capital. Here the spoils were laid 
down under a large oak which was accounted 
sacred. They were offered as a present to 
Jupiter ; and Romulus, marking out for him 
the bounds of a splendid temple, addressed 
him by a new name, saying, " Jupiter Fere- 
trius, in acknowledgment of the victory which 
I have obtained, I, Komulus the king, offer 
to thee these royal arms, and dedicate a tem- 
ple to thee on that spot which I have now 
measured out in my mind, to be a rej)Ository 
for those grand spoils which, after my exam- 
ple, generals in future times shall offer on 
slaying the kings and generals of their ene- 
mies." The temple was accordingly built, 
but, notwithstanding the many and successful 
wars carried on by the Roman people, there 
were never afterwards more than two such 
offerings made. 

Still Romulus had other battles to fight 
before satisfying the rage of his injured neigh- 
bors. Even while he was in pursuit of the 
Cseninensians, the Antemnatians were making 
preparations to invade his territories ; nor did 
they long delay the feeble attack which re- 
sulted in their complete overthrow and loss 

4 



50 Stories of Home. 

of possessions. The Crustuminians soon after 
shared a similar fate, so that, of their offended, 
neighbors, there were none now left but the 
Sabines. These, though slow in their prepa- 
rations, were by far the most formidable of 
all who held them at enmity. They were in- 
deed the greatest sufferers by the stratagem 
used by Romulus to provide wives for his nu- 
merous citizens. Having before them some 
evidences of Roman valor and prowess, they 
determined to act a prudent part. Accord- 
ingly, their operations were conducted in the 
most secret manner. No disclosures were 
made of their intentions, but every opportu- 
nity was watched to obtain, if possible, some 
advantage over the Romans. Stratagem they 
resolved should be repaid by stratagem. 

As a small party of them were one day 
watching in the vicinity of the city, they dis- 
covered the daughter of SjDurius TarjDeius, the 
keeper of the Roman citadel. She had, un- 
fortunately, gone outside of the fortifications 
for the purpose of bringing water for the sacred 
rites. The Sabines, knowing that it was in 
her power to put them in possession of the 
citadel, used every effort to bribe her into their 
service. She, at last, overcome by their soli- 
citations and dazzled by the rich presents 



RoMULTTS. 51 

which they held out to her, consented to admit 
them provided they would give her what they 
wore upon their left arms, meaning the golden 
bracelets and rings which they carried in great 
j)rofusion. 'No promises on such an occasion 
would be too great to make ; and the poor 
Tarpeia, having received the assurance that 
they would give her all she desired, flew to 
open to them the gate. They passed through 
it, but alas for her, as she stood expecting the 
golden reward, they cast upon her their mas- 
sive shields, from the blows of which she died 
upon the spot. 

The possession of the citadel was to the 
Sabines an important advantage over their 
enemy, l^ow the masters of it, it was an easy 
matter to recruit their strength and a difficult 
matter to eject them. Animated by their 
success they determined upon, and even hoped 
for, the destruction of the city. The Romans, 
surprised at so bold a feat, began to tremble, 
but drew out nevertheless in large array to 
dispossess them. The army filled the whole 
plain between the Palatine and Capitoline 
hills, but the Sabines, whose numbers were 
rapidly increasing, were not to be dislodged 
without a struggle. Both armies were con- 
ducted by fearless generals : that of the Ro- 



52 Stokies of Rome. 

mans being led by Hostns Hostilius, and that 
of the Sabines by Mettius Curtius. The bat- 
tle now commenced with great fury, and so 
well was it sustained by the Sabines that the 
Romans were forced some distance from their 
position. Hostus Hostilius their leader fell, 
and this added so much to their consternation 
that they heeded not even Romulus, who was 
now in their midst endeavoring to rally them. 
They seemed to pay no regard either to his 
entreaties or his threats, but fled in confusion 
all around him. In this strait however his 
genius befriended him. Arresting for a mo- 
ment their attention, he raised his hand to- 
ward heaven and cried out — " O Jupiter, by 
the direction of thy auspices I, here on the 
Palatine hill, laid the first foundation of my 
city. The Sabines are already in possession 
of our citadel, which they obtained by fraud, 
whence they now make their way in arms and 
have passed the middle of the valley ; but do 
thou, O father of gods and men, from hence 
at least expel the enemy ! Remove dismay 
from the minds of the Romans and stop their 
shameful flight. I vow a temple here to .thee, 
Jupiter Stator, as a testimony to posterity of 
the city being preserved by thy immediate 
aid." This was indeed one of the most trying 



EoMULus. 53 

moments in the life of Romulus. Success, 
even beyond his most sanguine expectations, 
had hitherto attended his labors. The city, 
now in so prosperous a condition, was upon 
the yery verge of being wrested from his hand. 
The army which had three times triumphed 
over his enemies appeared now about to be 
broken in pieces ; all his dreams of greatness 
seemed destined to be never realized. He 
however willed that it should not be so, and 
the force of that will alone appeared sufficient 
to save him. Closing his prayer, he assumed 
an attitude and a voice that impressed his 
army with the belief that Jupiter had already 
come to his assistance. " Here, Eomans," he 
shouted, " Jupiter, supremely good and great, 
orders you to halt and renew the light !" 

The Romans, as if they had heard a voice 
from Heaven, halted, and Romulus himself 
flew to their front. The Sabines had now all 
quitted the citadel, and were closely pressing 
uj)on the terrified and disordered Romans. 
" We have conquered these traitors to hospi- 
tality, these cowards in war !" shouted Cur- 
tius. "They now feel that it is one thing to 
capture virgins, and another far different, to 
fight with men." He had no sooner uttered 
this boast, than Romulus with a band of 



54 Stokies of Eome. 

courageous youth, rushed like a hurricane upon 
him. So unexpectedly attacked, he was 
brought to a stand. Desperation nerved every 
Roman arm, and the Sabine ranks fell like 
corn before the sickle. In terror, they, in 
turn, gave way. Romulus saw it. He took 
advantage of it. He cheered and urged on 
his troops. Courage now reanimated them. 
An ardor, which the remembrance of their 
late cowardice seemed to quicken, pervaded 
the Roman ranks. They fell upon the Sa- 
bines with the fury of tigers. Curtius, their 
general, being hotly pressed, was thrown from 
his horse into a small lake hard by, barely 
escaping with his life. The victory, however, 
was not yet decided. The Sabines, though 
dreadfully routed, and driven back to the 
plane between the Palatine and the Aven- 
tine mounts, here made another stand, and 
boldly defied the troops of Romulus, who, 
flushed with the hope of an easy triumph, were 
preparing for a still more dreadful charge. 

At this moment, as if by magic, the Sa- 
bine women whose capture had been the 
cause of this war, suddenly appeared in a 
large band, between the contending armies. 
With hair dishevelled, and garments torn, 
they began to rend the air with lamentable 



ROMTJLUS. 65 

cries. Extending their hands towards the 
Romans, they begged them, as their hnsbands 
and sworn protectors, that they would desist 
from a contest which was every moment 
sundering the dearest ties of nature; then 
turning to the Sabines, they implored them, 
as their fathers and brothers, to spare those 
whom destiny had given to them as husbands 
and guardians of their helpless offspring. " If 
you wish," they continued, "to destroy the 
affinity and connection formed between you 
by our marriage, turn your rage against us ; 
we are the cause of the war ; we are the cause 
of w^ounds and death to our husbands and 
fathers ; it is better for us to perish than to 
live, either widowed by the loss of one party, 
or fatherless by that of the other." Appeals 
like these were irresistible. Silence immedi- 
ately prevailed ; weapons were thrown aside, 
and both armies stood as if petrified. The lead- 
ers, a moment before rega-rding one another 
with deadly hatred, now mutually advanced 
to extend the hand of friendship. In the 
same breath they both, demanded peace and 
alliance. A treaty was no difficult matter to 
adjust, and it was ratified on these conditions, 
namely : that Romulus, and Tatius king of the 
Sabines, should be kings of Rome, with equal 



56 Stories of Rome. 

powers and with tlie same honors ; that the city 
should always preserve the name of its founder, 
but that the two people should take the name 
of Quirites, after the name of Cures, the capitol 
of the Sabine country ; that those of the Sa- 
bines who might so choose, should be at liber- 
ty to settle in Rome, and that there they should 
be permitted to carry their gods, and enjoy 
their peculiar customs, possessing all the 
rights and privileges of Roman citizens. In 
consequence of this treaty, the population of 
Rome was greatly increased. Tatius himself 
took up his abode there, selecting the capitol 
and Mount Quirinal as his quarters, whilst 
Romulus established himself upon Mount Pal- 
atine and Mount C^lius. Thus, after three 
years of the bitterest enmity, these two people 
became united as one nation. During five 
years the two kings reigned together in the 
utmost harmony. Together they dispensed 
justice; together they devised plans for the 
improvement of their city and the happiness 
of their people ; together they contended in 
battle with their enemies, and together sought 
to command the respect and admiration of 
their neighbors. 

An event occurred in the sixth year of their 
reign, which, resulting in the death of Tatius, 



Romulus. 57 

placed the entire rule of the joint kingdoms 
in the hands of Romulus. 

It happened that some of the friends of 
Tatius, and among them a kinsman, had com- 
mitted depredations upon the neighboring 
lands of Lavinium, whence they brought con- 
siderable plunder, having even carried their 
atrocities so far as to wound and kill several 
of those who undertook to oppose them. The 
Laurentians immediately sent ambassadors to 
Rome to demand redress of these injuries. 
Romulus and Tatius, who had hitherto appear- 
ed to be actuated by the same spirit, differed 
in regard to this affair: Romulus was of 
opinion that the persons guilty of these atro- 
cious deeds should be delivered up to the 
Laurentians for punishment, while Tatius 
maintained that it was the duty of the persons 
aggrieved to make their complaints to the 
authorities at Rome, and to plead before, and 
submit to the decision of the Roman courts. 

The ambassadors, unable to obtain any 
satisfaction, withdrew. The day not being 
sufficient to allow them to complete their 
journey home, they were obliged at night, 
while on their way, to erect a tent for their 
accommodation until morning. Some of the 
Sabines, enraged at their presum]3tuous ap- 



58 Stoeies of Rome. 

plication for justice, followed them, and, 
when thej were asleep, entered their tent, 
pillaged it, carried off their money, and even 
murdered those who were unable to defend 
themselves. Those who escaped returned to 
Lavinium, and, by the recital of their misfor- 
tunes, stirred up the most bitter feelings 
against the Roman people. Other ambassa- 
dors were then sent, accompanied by deputies 
appointed from the neighboring cities, who 
were instructed to protest against these viola- 
tions of the rights of nations, and also to de- 
clare war against Rome if justice was longer 
withheld. Romulus, to whom they now made 
known their complaints, was highly incensed 
at the conduct of the Sabines. In his opinion, 
such flagrant crimes merited instant and 
severe punishment, and he accordingly lost 
no time in arresting and delivering up in 
chains the guilty individuals. Tatius, regard- 
ing this proceeding as an affront offered to his 
person and royalty, contrived, ere the ambas- 
sadors departed, to dispossess them of their 
prisoners. 

Incredible as it may seem, not long after 
this affair, Tatius had the temerity to accom- 
pany Romulus to Lavinium on the occasion of 
a sacrifice which it was necessary for them to 



Romulus. 59 

ofter there to the gods of their ancestors, in 
behalf of their subjects. Such an opportunity 
for revenge was not neglected by the Lauren- 
tians. The relatives and friends of the mur- 
dered ambassadors, seizing a favorable mo- 
ment, slew the unfortunate king, even as he 
stood engaged at the altar. 

Thus Romulus became again the sole master 
of Rome. The despoilers of the Laurentians, 
hitherto defended by Tatius, now fled from 
the city. ISTo other way being left to punish 
them, he declared them to be forever banish- 
ed, but also determined that while doing jus- 
tice himself, the Laurentians should atone for 
the assassination of Tatius. He demanded 
that the murderers of his colleague should be 
sent to Rome for trial. His resolution and 
power were not to be trifled with, and they 
were accordingly delivered into his hands. 
Appearing before him, they stated the aggres- 
sions made upon them by these atrocious per- 
sons, who had been shielded by Tatius ; they 
reminded him of the demands for justice 
which had been made through their ambassa- 
dors ; of the shameful manner in which these 
ambassadors had been treated and dismissed, 
and finally of, their brutal murder when re- 
turning to their homes. They urged, too, the 



60 S TORIES OF Home. 

second effort wliicli had been made to obtain 
satisfaction for their injuries, and attributed 
their failure to the monstrous injustice of 
Tatius. While they admired his own con- 
duct in the matter, they abhorred that of 
his coadjutor ; while he himself was willing 
to redress their wrongs, Tatius stood in the 
way to prevent him. 'No one, they declared, 
in all Rome was their enemy but Tatius, and 
they could not, with justice, lay hands on any 
one save him. Having succeeded in con- 
vincing Romulus that what they had done was 
strictly in accordance with the laws of justice, 
he sent them hom.e uninjured. The conduct 
of Romulus, in suffering these assassins to go 
unpunished, is regarded by many rather as an 
evidence of his satisfaction at the death of 
Tatius. It is, however, but a poor argument, 
for he certainly would have more effectually 
concealed it by their punishment. 

A league being now entered into between 
the cities of Lavinium and Rome, Romulus 
had strong hopes of peace with his trouble- 
some neighbors. These hopes he was not 
long permitted to enjoy. The Fidenatians, 
w^hose territories bordered close upon' him, 
began to make incursions upon his frontiers. 
He repelled them, however, with great 



Romulus. 61 

promptness, and captured tlieir city. These 
were scarcely subdued, when the Yeientians 
commenced a predatory war, carrying off 
much plunder, and committing great damage 
to the country surrounding the city of Rome. 
Romulus determining to make of them an ex- 
ample to others, went against them with a 
powerful army. Hearing of his approach, 
they marched out of their city to meet him, 
choosing rather to engage in the open field 
than, remaining shut up, to fight from their 
walls and houses. A fierce battle took place, 
which resulted in a most terrible slaughter of 
the Yeientians. Fourteen thousand are said 
to have been slain, and the remnant, escaping 
to the city, were pursued even to the gates. 
Allowing them to enter, Romulus then laid 
waste the surrounding country and compelled 
them to sue in the most humble terms for 
peace, which was granted after receiving 
from them a large portion of their territory 
and fifty of their nobility as hostages. 

This was the last of the wars of Romulus. 
Alas for him, he was too much like many 
others who have followed him. Rapidly and 
unexpectedly promoted to dignity and power, 
he became the slave of ambition and pride. 
He could no longer stoop to the shepherds 



62 Stories of Rome. 

witli whom he had danced and hunted upon 
the banks of the Tiber. The simple dress 
which he had been wont to wear, even after 
arriving at supreme power, became at length 
too mean for him. He could be visited but 
with the utmost ceremony, and only when seat- 
ed in a magnificent chair of State. Three hun- 
dred young men called Celeres w^aited upon 
him, and men with staves walked before him 
to thrust the populace from his path. The Sen- 
ate, with whom he had been wont to advise and 
co-operate, possessed no longer any power, and 
met in their council-house merely to listen to 
his despotic orders, differing from the rest of 
the people only in being the first to know his 
will. 

High office may impose upon its incumbent 
a dignified, perhaps even a haughty bearing; 
it may demand blazing insignia, reserve, and 
even a show of that feeling which prompts to 
say : " Stand back, for I am holier than thou ;" 
it may need to be fortified with guards and 
be served by swords and staves; yet with 
all this it may command respect and honor. 
But when it changes its real character ; as- 
sumes to be what it is not ; steps beyond what 
wounds the taste into that which wounds the 
feelings, then, it is despised, hated, and will 



Romulus. 63 

be trodden under foot. Ivomulns discovered 
this, but the discovery was made, as is too 
frequently the case, when too late. As the 
number of his followers increased, his old 
companions pardoned the want of that famil- 
iarity which the presence of comparatively 
strange faces forbade. The chieftain of a 
numerous and invincible army might with 
propriety assume a dress differing from, and 
more rich than, that of any of his soldiers. 
His multifarious occujDations, as the head of 
a rapidly increasing city, was a sufficient ex- 
cuse for a crowd of attendants, and the envy 
of rivals or the hatred of enemies might rea- 
sonably demand the protection of swords and 
staves about his person. All these things 
were recognized as natural and proper ; but 
when he took from the Senate, his constitu- 
tional advisers, the rights invested in them, 
and made them nothing more than the heralds 
of his despotic orders, then he fell ; and neither 
the enthusiastic love of his soldiers nor all his 
glorious deeds could save him. 

The Roman Senate bore with patience the 
ill-treatment of Romulus, and met as was 
their usual custom, more, however, as a mat- 
ter of form than for the purpose of transacting 
business. ISTot long after the subjugation of 



04 Stories of Rome. 

the Yeientians, Eomiilus, without the consent 
or approbation of the Senate, divided the 
conquered lands among his soldiers, and sent 
home the hostages. The indignation of the 
senate was beyond control, and, soon after- 
wards, Romulus disappeared and no trace of 
him could ever be found. 

This event took place after a reign of about 
thirty-seven years ; and his extraordinary dis- 
appearance is accounted for in a variety of 
ways. The circumstances attending it are 
generally related as follows : Having, one 
day, convened an assembly of the people at a 
place called the Goats' Marsh in the neigh- 
borhood of Rome, their deliberations were 
suddenly interrupted by an eclipse of the sun. 
A furious tempest, accompanied with thun- 
der, lightning, and hail, added terror to the 
scene. The multitude, greatly frightened 
at such an extraordinary phenomenon, dis- 
persed in every direction ; but the Senators, 
who were stationed near the person of Romu- 
lus, gathered in one body. Light again ap- 
pearing and the storm having passed over, 
the j)eople returned to the place of assembly 
and anxiously inquired for the safety of the 
kino;. The Senators with one voice declared 
that he had been carried up to heaven on a 



Romulus. 65 

flash, of lightning to take his place among the 
gods. With this all seemed satisfied, though 
a mom'nful silence pervaded the multitude, 
and thej retired gloomily to their homes. 

The excitement of such an occasion having 
passed away, some of the friends of Romulus 
began to inquire more calmly into the cir- 
cumstances, and even ventured to raise doubts 
as to the truth of what was reported by the Sen- 
ators. Dissatisfaction spread rapidly among 
the people. The Senators were boldly accused 
of having murdered the king, and of circula- 
ting a ridiculous tale in order to conceal their 
guilt. Their ruin seemed almost inevitable, 
so great was the reverence in which Romulus 
was held by the soldiers and common people. 
At this crisis, Julius Proculus, a man highly 
esteemed for sanctity of manners, and well 
known as a faithful friend of the king, ap- 
peared in the Forum, and, in the presence of 
the people, declared with the most solemn 
oaths that, as he was travelling on the road, 
Romulus met him in a form more noble and 
august than ever and clad in bright and daz- 
zling armor. Astonished at the sight he said 
to him : " For what misbehavior, O king, or by 
what accident, have you so unseasonably left 
us to labor under the heaviest calunmies, and 

5 



66 Stokies of Rome. 

the wliole city to sink under inexpressible 
sorrow?" To wliich he replied, "It pleased 
the gods, my good Proculus, that we should 
dwell with men for a time ; and, after found- 
ing a city which will be the most powerful 
and glorious in the world, return to heaven 
whence we came. Farewell, then ; go and 
tell the Romans, that by the exercise of tem- 
perance and fortitude, they shall attain the 
highest pitch of human greatness ; and I, the 
god Quirinus, will ever be propitious to them." 
A story coming from such a source and sup- 
ported by so solemn an oath met with full 
belief; and the Romans, seized with a kind 
of enthusiasm, immediately abandoned all 
suspicions of the nobility, and united in the 
deifying of Quirinus. 'Nor does it seem 
strange that such a story should be readily 
received by an ignorant and superstitious 
people, when taken in connection too with 
the wonders related of his birth and early 
education. 

Some suppose that the surname Quirinus 
was bestowed upon Romulus as another 
Mars; others, because the Roman citizens 
were called Quirites ; others, again, because 
the ancients gave the name of Quirus to 
the point of a spear, or to the spear itself. 



Romulus. 67 

Those who distinguished themselves in war 
were reTvarded with a spear. Romukis then 
as a martial or warrior god was named Quiri- 
nus, and the hill npon which his temple 
stands, has on this account the name of Qui- 
rinalis. 

At the death of Romulus, the city was in a 
most prosperous condition. The surrounding 
nations, which through jealousy or fear of its 
increasing power had at various times endeav- 
ored to overthrow it, w^ere either subdued or 
convinced of their inability to hinder its on- 
ward j)rogress. l^ever perhaps, in any age, 
has a State been raised from so low a begin- 
ning to such a height of solid power ; nor has 
there ever appeared another leader who under 
similar circumstances has maintained such 
firm authority over so multifarious and licen- 
tious a body of men. 



Appeaeance of Rome at the Death of Romulus — The Coun- 
try adjacent to the City — Government of the Senate — Com- 
plaints of the People — They demand a King — Numa Pom- 
pilius — His Mode of Life — He is chosen Kiug — His Refusal 
of the Crown — Persuasions of his Friends — His Acceptance 
and Entrance into Rome — The Temple of Janus — Foreign 
Treaties — Roman Worship — Vestal Virgins — The Salii — 
Festival of Mars — Influence of Numa — Changes wrought in 
the Character of the Roman People — Division of the Citizens 
into Classes — Reformation of the Calendar — Cause of its 
Errors — Effects of Numa's Government upon the Neighbor- 
ins: Nations — His Death. 




NUMA CLOSING THE TEMPLE 01'^ JANUS. p. VI 



NUMA POMPILIUS 

FROM 713 TO 610 B.C. 



II. 

Although Rome, under the administration 
of Romulus, had risen to an astonishing height 
of power ; although at his death it bid fair to 
"become the mistress of the world, still its j)o- 
sition was not one which could be enviable to 
any other than to a people that had been edu- 
cated under a bold and warlike leader, such 
as Romulus had been. It is true, that within 
its walls, all was life and activity. Temples 
and palaces looked proudly from its hill-tops. 
Through its numerous gates poured busy thou- 
sands ; but the tools of its workmen sounded 
only for the purpose of adding further strength 
to its citadels ; its anvils rang only under the 
glowing metal destined for swords and spears, 
and the busy thousands that went in and out 
of its gates, were all clothed in the panoply 
of war. Outside its walls ran deep and wide 



74: Stoeies of Rome. 

trenclies, unsightly by reason of the stagnant 
water that filled them, and the huge irregular 
heaps of dirt reaching all along their borders. 
The surrounding hills and ^^allejs, once so 
luxuriant, and once so merry with the pipes 
and daiices of the careless shepherds, were no 
longer covered with sheep and lowing herds ; 
a blighting tempest seemed to have passed 
over them ; and they echoed no .longer any- 
thing, save the clash of arms, or the hurried 
tramp of martial legions. 

While scenes like these would fill us with 
little else than surprise and horror, they were 
well suited to the tastes and habits of the fol- 
lowers of Romulus ; and it is no difficult task 
to imagine their sorrow at the loss of a leader, 
whose spirit seemed to animate them all. It 
was, moreover, an additional grief, that he 
had not bequeathed that spirit to a son, who, 
stepjDing into his place, might lead them on in 
the path of glory which they had so long been 
treading. 'No one was left of his race. The 
sceptre must pass into other hands ; but into 
whose, seemed likely to become a fruitful 
cause of trouble, perhaps of disaster. 

A king could not be made at once ; for, not- 
withstanding the apparent harmony that ex- 
isted throughout the Roman State, there was 



NUMA POMPILIUS. 75 

a feeling of jealousy between the two nations 
composing it. The Komans and Sabines were 
not yet so thoroughly commingled as to feel 
like one people ; and while the latter feared 
that, by too easily yielding, they might wholly 
lose their claims, the former spm-ned the 
thought of a foreigner being placed upon the 
throne. The safety of the nation nevertheless 
demanded a head ; and neither party so far 
forgot their interests, as to refuse to submit 
to the authority of those, into whose hands 
the reins of government seemed naturally to 
fall. The Senate, therefore, assumed by turns 
the royal prerogative. This body was com- 
posed of a hundred individuals, taken equally 
from the two nations. They divided them- 
selves into ten decades, and each member pre- 
sided by turns in his own decade. The time 
that each held the government was limited to 
five days, and the administration went to them 
all in rotation. A year passed by in this man- 
ner without a king, and the interval was from 
this circumstance called an interregnum. The 
people did not, however, endure with entire 
satisfaction this mode of government, and be- 
gan, at last, to find fault and murmur, declar- 
ing that slavery was multiplied on them ; that 
they had a hundred masters set over them in- 



76 Stories of Rome. 

stead of one. A king was evidently demanded, 
and the Senators, feeling that it would be im- 
possible to withstand the people, prudently 
determined to make a voluntary offer of the 
power which they could no longer hold. In 
accordance with this determination, an assem- 
bly was called, and the Senator, who at that 
time happened in turn to wear the robes of 
State, thus addressed them: "Romans, be 
the event prosperous, fortunate, and happy ; 
elect a king ; the Fathers have thought proper 
to decree it so. If ye choose a person worthy 
to be esteemed a fit successor to Romulus, 
the Fathers will join their approbation." A 
proceeding so well calculated to please the 
people, was received with the most enthusi- 
astic applause, and, unwilling to be outdone 
in generosity, they immediately voted that 
the Senate should name and decree who should 
be their king. 

There was at this time living near Cures, a 
city of the Sabines, a private individual, 
named ]N"uma Pompilius. He was the young- 
est of four brothers, and his father, a man of 
distinction, was named Pomponius.* JSTuma is 
said to have been born upon the very day 
when Rome was founded by Romulus, and his 
early education, we are also told, was super- 



^UMA POMPILIUS. 77 

intended by an eminent Grecian philosopher. 
However this may be, it is quite certain that, 
from his youth, he was always distinguished 
for his virtuous disposition, and a mind sub- 
dued by discipline, practice, and philosophy. 
He divested himself not only of the grosser 
passions, but even of that ambition which was 
reckoned honorable among the people of his 
time ; persuaded that true fortitude consists 
in the conquest of the appetites by reason. 
Every species of luxury was banished from 
his house. In it he opened an asylum for the 
unfortunate and the distressed ; and strangers 
as Tvell as friends ever found him a faithful 
counsellor, and an upright judge. His hours 
of leisure were never spent in the pursuit of 
pleasure, or self-aggrandizement, but rather 
in the worship of the gods, and in rational 
inquiries into their nature and power. 

In no age, and esj)ecially in one like this, 
could such a man be buried in obscurity. So 
much extolled were his virtues, and so illustri- 
ous did his name at length become, that Tatius, 
king of the Sabines, bestowed upon him his 
daughter Tati a. An honor like this, sufficient 
to turn the wisest head, had not the least ill 
effect upon I^uma. Modestly accepting this 
highest token of his sovereign's regard, he im- 



78 Stories of Rome. 

mediately retired with her to his quiet abode, 
both of them preferring the calm enjoyment 
of private life, to the honors and distinctions 
of the royal palace. In the most unalloyed 
happiness, they thus continued to live thirteen 
years, when Tatia died. Numa was for a 
time quite inconsolable. His philosoj)hy al- 
most forsook him, and, abandoning society, 
he passed his time in wandering about, alone, 
in the sacred groves and lawns, and in the 
most solitary places. He continued this kind 
of life so long, that it was reported that he 
had formed a connection with a goddess, 
named Egeria, who daily instructed him in 
civil and religious matters, leading him to 
happiness and knowledge more than mortal. 
Although every one regretted his withdrawal 
from society, still he lost nothing in the esti- 
mation oi those whom he occasionally favored 
with his presence, and it was not long before 
his fame for wisdom and learning became 
greater and more widely known than ever. 

It is not surprising that the Roman Senate, 
in looking about for a ]3roper person to place 
upon the vacant throne, should at once be ar- 
rested by the name of ISTuma. There was no 
necessity of asking : "Who is he ? Every one 
knew him. There was no necessity of askino;. 



JSTtjma Pompilius. 79 

Is he popular ? l^one knew him but to love 
him. There was no necessity of asking, Has 
he talents and learning ? No one had better 
governed himself ; no one was more profound 
in civil and religious lore. His virtue was 
proverbial, and to have selected any other 
than him, would have been an insult to the 
gods. 

When, therefore, the Senate announced to 
the people that ^N^uma was their choice, the 
intelligence was received with shouts that 
rang long and loud through the hills, and tem- 
ples of the busy city. Romans and Sabines 
shook each other by the hand, declared that 
no one else was fit to reign, and thanked the 
gods for the happy omen. 

As !Numa was living upon his private es- 
tate at some distance from Rome, it was neces- 
sary to send ambassadors to invite him to 
accept the crown. Two distinguished persons 
were selected for this purpose, the one a Ro- 
man named Proculus, and the other a Sabine 
named Yelesus. Hastened in their prepara- 
tions by the eager people, they set out in their 
search of l^uma, imagining that he would 
gladly embrace the offer about to be made to 
him. Arriving at his quiet retreat, they 
found him in company with his aged father, 



80 Stories of Rome. 

a kinsman named Marcios, and a few friends 
who were always glad of an opportunity to 
listen to the words of wisdom which constantly 
flowed from his lips. In presence of these per- 
sons, the ambassadors made known to him 
the wish of the Roman people, and earnestly 
solicited him to accept the proffered crown. 
ITuma, having expressed the gratification 
which such an unexpected honor was calcu- 
lated to produce, replied to them in the 
following terms: "Every change in human 
life has its dangers ; but when a man has a 
sufficiency for everything, and there is nothing 
in his present situation to justify complaint, 
what but madness can lead him from his 
usual track of life (which if it has no other 
advantage, has at least that of certainty), to 
experience another as yet doubtful and un- 
known? But the dangers attending this gov- 
ernment, are beyond an uncertainty, if we may 
form a judgment from the fortunes of Romu- 
lus, who labored under the suspicion of having 
taken off Tatius, his colleague, and was sup- 
posed to have lost his own life with equal in- 
justice. Yet Romulus is celebrated as a per- 
son of divine origin, supernaturally nourished 
when an infant, and most wonderfully pre- 
served. For my own part, I am only of mor- 



NlJMA POMPILIIJS. 81 

tal race, and yoii are sensible tliat my nursing 
and education pretend to nothing extraordi- 
nary. As for my character, if it has any dis- 
tinction, it has been gained in a manner not 
likely to qualify me for duties of royalty, in 
scenes of repose, and employments by no 
means arduous. Mv s^enins is inclined to 
peace ; my love has long been fixed upon it, 
and I have studiously avoided the confusion 
of war ; I have also drawn others, so far as my 
influence extended, to the worship of the gods, 
to mutual offices of friendship, and to spend 
the rest of their time in tilling the ground, 
and feeding cattle. The Romans may have 
unavoidable wars left upon their hands by 
their late sovereign, for the maintaining of 
which, you have need of one as his successor, 
more active and more enterprising. Besides, 
the people are of a warlike disposition, ele- 
vated by victory, and obviously anxious to 
extend their conquests. Of course, therefore, 
a person who has set his heart upon the pro^ 
moting of religion, and justice, and drawing 
men off from the love of violence and war, 
would soon become ridiculous and contempti- 
ble to a city that has more occasion for a 
general than a king." 
The Romans were quite confounded at this 
6 



82 Stokies of Rome. 

speech, and knew not what to answer. Their 
admiration of a man who could thus so quiet- 
ly refuse a crown was greatly raised, and their 
eiforts to secure his acceptance were propor- 
tion ably increased. 'No arguments however 
which they could adduce being sufficient to 
prevail, they retired, leaving I^uma with his 
father and friend Marcius. 

These individuals urged him with all the elo- 
quence in their power to receive this noble 
and valuable gift of heaven ; " If contented," 
said they, "with a competence, you are in- 
different to riches and unambitious of sover- 
eignty, having a higher and better distinction 
in virtue ; yet consider that a king is the 
minister of God, who now seeks to awaken and 
call into action your native wisdom and jus- 
tice. Decline not therefore an authority w^hich 
to a wise man is a field for heroic and good 
actions ; where dignity may be added to reli- 
gion, and men may be brought over to piety 
in the easiest and readiest way, by the influ- 
ence of the prince. Tatius though a stranger 
was beloved by this people, and they pay 
divine honors to the memory of Ivomulus. 
Besides who knows, as they are victorious, but 
they may be now satiated with war ; and, 
liaving no farther wish for triumphs and spoils 



I^UMA POMPILIUS. 83 

may be desirous of a mild and just governor, 
for the establishing of good laws and the 
settling of peace ? But should they be ever 
so ardently inclined to war, yet is it not better 
to turn their violence another w^ay, and to be 
the centre of union and friendshij) between 
the country of the Sabines, and so great and 
flourishing a State as that of Rome ?" 

Arguments like these could not be listened 
to without due consideration, by a man like 
JSTuma. The sacrifice of his own comfort to 
the welfare of others was to him no difficult 
matter ; and to see clearly his dut}^ in this 
affair was what he most earnestly desired. 

While he was carefully weighing the forci- 
ble reasonings of his friends, a large body of 
his fellow-countrymen appeared at his doors, 
earnestly entreating him to take upon himself 
the government as the only means to appease 
all dissensions and effectually incorporate the 
two nations into one. Their earnest apj^eals 
seemed to him like the voice of the gods, and, 
as if in obedience to their summons, he im- 
mediately offered a sacrifice and set forth for 
Rome. His rejoicing countrymen followed 
him in crowds, and heralds were despatched 
to the city to announce his coming. The 
intelligence was received with the utmost en- 



84 Stories of Rome. 

thusiasm. The Senate, accompanied by a 
vast concourse of the citizens, went far out 
upon the road to meet him ; the women even 
went forth with blessings and shouts of joy ; 
the temples were crowded with sacrifices ; and 
so universal was the satisfaction that the city 
might seem to have received a kingdom in- 
stead of a king. 

When they were come into the Forum, one 
of the Senators put it to vote whether ]^uma 
should be king; whereupon all the citizens 
with one voice shouted a loud assent. The 
robes and other emblems of royalty were 
then brought out and laid before him, but 
he refused to put them on, saying that his 
authority yet wanted the sanction of Heaven. 
In order to obtain this, he took wdth him 
the priests and augurs and went up to the 
Capitol, which was at that time called the 
Tarpeian rock. Having here gone through 
the customary forms, sacrifices, and devotions, 
he awaited the appearance of the auspicious 
birds or some other signal from the gods. 
The people, assembled round anxious for the 
event, looked on in the utmost silence. The 
birds at last appeared, and l^uma, satisfied, 
took the royal robe, and going down from the 
mount, was received with loud acclamations 



NiTMA POMPILIUS. 85 

as the most pious of men and the most beloved 
of the gods. 

]N^uma was in his fortieth year when he re- 
ceived the kingdom, and, though at this time 
he possessed no practical knowledge of gov- 
erning, he subsequently gave evidence of a 
peculiar fitness for his exalted station. 

The Roman nation was at this time com- 
posed of the most hardy and resolute men, 
whom boldness and despair had brought to- 
gether from all quarters, nourished and grown 
to power by a series of wars, and strengthened 
by blows and conflicts. Though no extraor- 
dinary endowments were necessary to see that 
a peculiar government was necessary for such 
a people, yet great wisdom and a surpassing 
knowledge of human nature could alone point 
out what that government should be. 

ISTuma saw, in the first place, that it was 
important to gain the confidence of the peo- 
ple ; and he knew very well that in order to 
accomplish this he must show his confidence 
in them. To this end, he had no sooner as- 
sumed the authority than he caused the three 
hundred men called Celeres, whom Romulus 
always kept about his person as guards, to be 
discharged. This act not only raised him 
higher in the opinion of his subjects, but 



86 Stoeies of Rome. 

tended greatly to increase his power. It was 
also the happiest step that could be taken in 
bringing abont the great change which he 
purposed to work in the character and habits 
of the Roman people, which change was noth- 
ing less than from a ferocious, war-loving dis- 
position to a fondness of peace, justice, laws, 
and morals. 

Intent upon this design, he immediately 
marked out the ground for a magnificent 
temple to be named after Janus, the most 
ancient king of Italy of whom any knowledge 
has descended to posterity. This king is said 
to have greatly improved the manners of his 
subjects, taught them to cultivate the vine, 
sow corn, and make bread. So great was the 
esteem in which he was held that, after his 
death, he was adored as a god. He was 
thought to preside over new undertakings, 
and hence the first libations of wine and wheat 
were offered to him ; all prayers were pre- 
faced with a short address to him ; and IN^uma 
caused the first month in the year to be named 
January, from him. He caused him also to 
be rej^resented with two faces, denoting that 
he views at once the past and the approaching 
years. The temple which ISTuma thus marked 
out at the commencement of his reign, and 



IN'rMA POMPILIUS. 87 

subsequently built, was in the form of a 
square and contained a statue of Janus five 
feet high ; two brazen gates were made on 
each side, and l^uma declared that these 
gates should be kept open in time of war, 
and shut in time of peace. Wonderful as it 
may seem, after the death of JSTuma these 
gates were, closed only twice during a period 
of more than six hundred years. As soon as 
the temple was completed, he caused the 
people to assemble about it, and, in a very 
solemn manner, closed its massive gates, ex- 
pressing the earnest desire that the peace 
which they were then enjoying with all na- 
tions might continue during his reign. 

He then proceeded by treaties and alliances 
to secure the friendship of his neighbors, and 
having thus removed all fear of danger from 
abroad, he sought, by insjDiriug his subjects 
with a fear of the gods, to prevent licentious- 
ness and civil discord. So anxious was he to 
maintain peace and promote the welfare of 
his people, that he favored a belief generally 
entertained that the goddess Egeria and the 
Muses appeared to him and taught him how 
to rule his kingdom. This belief gave great 
weight to his instructions, and his wishes 
seemed to be regarded as divine commands. 



88 Stories of Rome. 

The Romans believed in an immortal race 
of beings, inhabiting the sky, whom they called 
gods. They were regarded as the creators 
and preservers of all things, as intimately ac- 
quainted with human affairs, and mindful of 
the action of men and states, rewarding the 
good and punishing the evil. The worship 
of these gods was as yet performed in a very 
irregular manner, and one of J^Tuma's earliest 
cares was to reduce it to a regular system. 
To this end he appointed flamens or priests, 
though he performed in person a great part 
of the sacred rites, especially those which be- 
longed to the worship of Jupiter. He knew, 
howcA'er, that his successors to the throne 
would not be so devoted to peace and reli- 
gion as himself, and lest the worship of this 
divinity might, in after-times, be neglected, 
he sejjarated the priesthood of Jove from the 
kingly office and created a flamen of that 
deity, who was to attend constantly on the 
duties of that priesthood, decorating him with 
a splendid dress and a royal curule chair. 

Mars, the god of war, held in the highest 
veneration by the Roman nation, received also 
a due share of his attention. For him he crea- 
ted a flamen, and caused regular sacrifices of 
wolves, horses, and vultures to be offered 



NUMA POMPILIUS. 89 

upon his altars. J^or was Quirinus, his dei- 
fied predecessor, forgotten, for whom also a 
priest was appointed. He also instituted at 
Rome the worship of Yesta, which was de- 
rived from Alba, the birthplace of Romulus, 
who, as will be remembered, was. the offspring 
of one of the priestesses of this goddess. To 
Yesta he erected a temple and appointed the 
requisite number of virgins to minister at her 
altars. To these a fixed stipend was paid out 
of the public treasury, in order that they 
might attend without interruption to the ser- 
vice of the temple. Yesta was a deity who 
w^as supposed to preside over the domestic 
hearth. A sacred fire tended by the virgin 
priestesses was kept continually burning upon 
her altar. As the safety of the city was held 
to be connected with the preservation of this 
fire, the neglect of the virgins, if they let it 
go out, was severely punished, and the fire 
was rekindled from the rays of the sun. The 
temple of Yesta was round. The statue of 
the goddess, instead of being placed within 
it, was set up in the Forum. Her festival 
was celebrated in the month of June, when 
plaies of delicious meats were sent into the 
vestals to be offered up ; the millstones were 
wreathed with garlands of flowers, and the 



90 Stories of Home. 

mill-asses, crowned with violets, went about 
with cakes strung around their necks. The 
vestal virgins were bound to their ministry 
thirty years, after which time they might 
leave the temple and marry. This, however, 
v/as seldom done. 

These priestesses were bound to observe 
the strictest purity of morals, and if any one 
of them violated her vows she was buried 
alive by the Colline gate. There, within the 
walls, was raised a little mount of earth called, 
in Latin, Agger ; under which was prepared 
a small cell with steps to descend into it. In 
this were placed a bed, a lighted lamp, and 
some slight provisions, such as bread, water, 
milk and oil. The criminal was then carried 
to punishment through the Forum in a litter 
well covered without, and bound up in such 
a manner that her cries could not be heard. 
When the litter had arrived at the place ap- 
pointed, the officers loosened the cords ; the 
high-priest, with hands lifted towards heaven, 
offered some private prayers, and then having 
taken out the prisoner, who was covered with 
a veil, placed her upon the stejos whicli lead, 
down into the cell. After this he retired with 
the rest of the priests, and, w^hen she was 
gone down, the steps were taken away, and 



IS'UMA PoMPiLirs. 91 

the cell covered with earth ; so that the place 
was made level with the rest of the mount. 
Thus were pimished the vestals who violated 
their vows. 

JSTuma now instituted an order of priests 
which afterwards became so highly respected, 
that the most distinguished men of Rome, and 
even emperors, w^ere proud to be of the num- 
ber. These were called Salii. They were 
created in honor of Mars, and their name is 
derived from the word Salire^ to dance, be- 
cause, on certain festival days, they passed 
about the city dancing and singing in honor 
of that divinity. They were originally twelve 
in number, but this number was afterwards 
increased to twenty-four by Tullus Hostilius. 
The festival in honor of Mars was observed on 
the first of March ; and then it was that these 
priests appeared in public procession. They 
were generally dressed in a short scarlet tunic 
of which only the edges were seen ; they wore 
a large purple-colored belt above the waist, 
which was fastened with brass buckles ; on 
their heads were round bonnets with two 
corners standing up ; in their right hand they 
carried a small rod and in their left a small 
buckler, made in imitation of one said to have 
been sent down to Numa from heaven. In 



92 Stobies of Rome. 

the observation of tlieir solemnity, they first 
offered sacrifices, and afterwards went through 
the streets dancing in measured motions, some- 
times all together, at other times separate- 
ly, while musical instruments were playing 
before them. They placed their bodies in 
different attitudes and struck with their rods 
the shields which they held in their hands. 

By the institution of these and various other 
religious rites and ceremonies, ITuma succeed- 
ed in diverting the attention of his subjects 
from violence and arms. His instructions 
were not confined to mere forms and outward 
services. He caused them to cultivate habits 
of industry, and taught them that idleness 
was hateful to the gods. He encouraged them 
to be contented with whatever might be their 
lot in life. He showed them how important 
to happiness and prosperity was concord both 
in the family circle and in the State. He cul- 
tivated in them generous sentiments, and in- 
spired them with love for the gods, with whose 
goodness he sought every opportunity to im- 
press them. Under such discipline it is not 
strange that a people ever so fierce and war- 
like should in time become quite tractable. 
It was even so ; J^uma was loved, almost 
adored by them. Their own manners were 



IN'UMA POMPILIUS. 93 

formed after his as the most perfect model ; 
and it was not long before the neighboring 
nations, which had formerly regarded Eome 
rather as a den of thieves and robbers, began 
to entertain for it the highest respect, and even 
deemed any one guilty of imjpiety, who sought 
to give trouble to a state entirely occupied in 
the worship of the gods. 

The territory originally claimed as belong- 
ing to Rome was quite small, but Romulus 
by means of the sword added a considerable 
district to it. Its boundaries, however, he 
had never defined, having always been un- 
willing to show how much he had unjustly 
encroached upon his neighbors. ]^uma, in 
perfecting his regulations, caused the boim- 
daries of the Roman State to be marked out. 
The lands which had been acquired by Romu- 
lus he divided among the indigent citizens in 
order to preserve them from the commission 
of crimes to which they might be driven by 
poverty. The country was divided into pagi 
or boroughs, and over each borough was ap- 
pointed a governor or overseer. Through the 
instrumentality of these, the people were en- 
couraged to industry and a love of husbandry. 
E^uma frequently went out himself from the 
city to visit his agricultural subjects, inspected 



94 Stories of E-ome. 

tlieir farms, censured the indolent, and ad- 
vanced the. industrious to posts of honor and 
trust. 

In order to unite more perfectly the two 
people composing the Roman nation, ]^uma 
distributed all the citizens into companies, 
according to their arts and trades. It was 
w^ith regret that he observed occasional con- 
tests and party quarrels springing out of the 
remembrance of their original differences. As 
the speediest method of blotting out this re- 
membrance, he resolved to divide them into 
as many distinct bodies as possible. He ac- 
cordingly separated all his subjects into com- 
panies of goldsmiths, masons, dyers, shoe- 
makers, tanners, braziers, potters, etc., and 
assigned to them their respective halls of 
assembly, their courts, and religious ceremo- 
nies peculiar to each association. Thus the 
distinction between Sabines and Romans was 
entirely forgotten, and all the people w^ere 
thoroughly united into one. 

'Not among the least of the works of JSTuma 
was the attempt which he made to reform the 
calendar. In this he showed a great deal of 
skill, although it was reserved for Julius Caesar 
to accomplish this difficult task. 

In order to understand properly the im- 



KUMA POMPILIUS. 95 

provements in the calendar as effected by 
ISTuma, it is necessary to bear in mind that 
the solar ^^ear or period of time in which the 
earth performs one revolution about the sun is 
865 days and near 6 hours. Were it required 
to divide this period into equal portions, to be 
called months, it v^ould be no difficult under- 
taking; but when the long journey of the 
earth is to be measured by the short journeys 
of the moon around her, the task becomes 
more difficult, especially if the correspond- 
ence between this great journey or year and 
its natural divisions into seasons is preserved. 
Romulus had, without any apparent reason, 
divided the year into ten periods or months, 
includiog in all 304 days. What disposition 
he made of the remaining 61 days, which 
would make up the year, is not known. His 
year commenced with March and ended with 
December, which word signifies tenth month. 
That great confusion in the calendar existed 
in his time can scarcely be doubted, and that 
!N"uma should regard it as a matter demand- 
ing reformation is not wonderful. He began 
then by adding two months, making the 
whole number twelve. These consisted of 
twenty-nine and thirty days alternately, to 
correspond with the synodic revolution of the 



96 Stobies of Rome. 

moon, so that the year contained 354 days ; 
but a day was added to make the nnmber 
odd, which was considered more fortunate, 
and the year therefore consisted of 355 days. 
This differed from the solar year by ten whole 
days and a fraction ; but Numa, being aware 
of this, ordered an additional or intercalary 
month to be inserted every second year, be- 
tween the twenty- third and twenty-fom-th of 
February, consisting of twenty- two and twen- 
ty-three days alternately, so that four years 
contained 1465 days, and the mean length of 
the year was 366i. This arrangement made it 
one day too long ; but as the error amounted 
in twenty-four years to twenty-four days, it 
was ordered that every third period of eight 
years, instead of containing four intercalary 
months, amounting in all to ninety days, 
should contain only three of those months 
consisting of only 22 days each. Thus the 
mean length of the year was reduced to 365 
days and six hours. 

The calendar as thus established by JSTuma, 
might possibly have been preserved to the 
present time had these intercalations been 
properly attended to ; but the care of them 
being committed to superstitious priests, they 
put in or left out the intercalary day or month 



NUMA PoMPILIUS. 97 

as they fancied it lucky or unlucky, advan- 
tageous or disadvantageous to themselves. 
In process of time, so much confusion was thus 
created that the festivals occurred at seasons 
very different from those in which they were 
instituted ; and in the days of Julius Csesar 
the Roman Calendar had gained three months. 

The greatest of all the works of Numa was 
a permanent peace, which he established at 
the commencement of his reign and preserved 
with the utmost care to its end. His mild and 
undisturbed rule not only promoted the wel- 
fare of the peojDle of Rome, but exerted a 
salutary influence upon all the surrounding 
country. The neighboring nations became de- 
sirous of peace and good laws. The face of 
all Italy underwent a most glorious change. 
The fields, which lay bare and uncultiva- 
ted in the times of Romulus, were now full 
of happy husbandmen, sending forth their 
abundant products into every city. ]N"either 
war nor insurrection raised its voice during 
all the reign of ISTuma ; nor was a single word 
ever uttered against him either as a public or 
a private man. 

When death at last came to put an end to 
his peaceful labors, he had become quite old. 
Fourscore years had passed over him, more 

7 



98 Stokies of Rome. 

than half of which had been devoted to the 
service of his country. The news of his de- 
parture seemed to cany desolation far and 
near. 'Not only did the Eomans grieve for 
him as a father, but the neighboring nations 
mourned that a benefactor was lost to all man- 
kind. In token of their sorrow they poured 
into Home to aid in doing honor to his re- 
mains, bringing with them crowns and public 
offerings without number. The bier was car- 
ried by the Senators, followed by a long pro- 
cession of priests ; men, women and children 
crowded after, not as if they were attending 
the fmieral of an aged king, but w^th tears 
and loud lamentations, as if they had lost a 
beloved relation in the bloom of life. 



Character of TuUus Hostilius — His Election to the Throne 
of Rome — He gains the Esteem of the People — Difficulties 
between Alba and Rome — Stratagem of TuUus — Declaration 
of "War — Sudden Death of the King of Alba — Mettius FufFe- 
tius takes Command of the Alban Army — Singular Proposi- 
tion made by Fuffetius to settle the Controversy between 
Alba and Rome — Combat between the Horatii and Curatii — 
Conduct of the Sister of Horatius — Horatius slays his Sister 
— His Trial and Condemnation — "War with the Fidenatians 
and Veientians — Perfidy of FufFetius — The Horrible Punish- 
ment inflicted upon him by TuUus — Destruction of Alba — 
Defeat of the Sabines — Calamities befall Rome — Death of 
Tullus. 




— » Lc;3Kn 



Fight between the Horatii and the Curatii. p. 101, 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS. 

FROM 670 TO 638 B.C. 



III. 

When Romulus died, the goyernment fell 
into the hands of the Senate ; so, upon the 
death of l^uma, the Senate assumed the con- 
trol of affairs, and continued some time in the 
enjoyment of their power. E'othing of conse- 
quence occurred during this interregnum, the 
]3eople being either occupied with grief for 
the loss of their excellent king, or concerned 
as to who should be his successor. 

It was not long before this choice was made, 
nor ought we, perhaps, to be surprised that a 
man so different from ISTuma, should have 
been elected to fill his place ; for the world 
has been, and doubtless will long continue to 
be, much as it now is. The most exalted 
positions are often occupied by inferior men, 
at least, by men not best fitted to fill them. 
Cunning and duplicity, are more than a 



104: Stoeies of Rome. 

match for merit, and thus, those who are 
ambitious of honor, can generally manage to 
snatch it from others, to whom it belongs. 
Good and great men, are therefore not always 
found in the highest stations. 

At this time, there was living in Home, a 
man named Tullus Hostilius. He was the 
grandson of Hostus Hostilius, who, it will be 
remembered, commanded the Romans, at the 
time they were attacked by the enraged Sa- 
bines. Tullus had inherited the warlike spirit 
of his grandfather, and was, moreover, a man 
of great influence, by reason both of his wealth 
and his illustrious birth. The mild and peace- 
ful reign of Numa was not at all suited to his 
active and ambitious mind ; and we can easily 
imagine that, weary of the religious ceremonies 
and quiet life so prevalent in Rome, he could 
rejoice, even in the midst of general grief, at 
the prospect of a change. Trusting to the 
renown of his ancestors, his great possessions, 
and his superior intellect, he may have enter- 
tained hopes of reaching even the summit of 
power. Be this as it may, he felt that a 
change in Roman life must now take place ; 
and any change whatever, would be prefer- 
able to the tiresome chants of priests, the wise 
sayings of Egeria, the royal praises bestowed 



TULLUS HOSTILIIJS. 105 

upon agriculture and peace, and the tame 
excitements of the arena, and the race-course. 
He longed to see the gates of Janus once 
more open, and the rusty Roman armor, once 
more burnished and glittering in the sunlight. 
There were hopes of this, now that ]^uma was 
no more ; and we shall presently see that he 
took the earliest opportunity for the gratifica- 
tion of his desires. 

TiiUus lost no time in presenting himself to 
his countrymen, as a suitable person to fill 
the vacant throne ; nor did he lack friends to 
promote his cause and urge his claims. The 
people elected him as their king, and the Sen- 
ate, confirming their choice, placed the crown 
upon his head. 

Though seated upon a throne, he knew full 
well that he could be assured of his exalted 
position, only by gaining the confidence and 
esteem of his countrymen; and his first act 
was one of the noblest of his whole reign. To 
his predecessors, Romulus and I^uma, a large 
tract of land had been assigned, from the pro- 
ceeds of which, they were permitted to supply 
their personal wants, and maintain the dignity 
of their office. 'No sooner had Tullus received 
the sceptre, than he caused proclamation to 
be made throughout the city, that it was his 



106 Stories of Home. 

intention to receive nothing whatever, of what 
had been appropriated for the snpport of his 
predecessors ; that his own private income 
was sufficient for his necessities, and that the 
lands devoted to the former kings, should be 
divided among the poorer citizens. A meas- 
ure like this could not fail to call forth the 
loudest praise, and place him at once in the 
highest esteem. But he did not stop here ; 
for, notwithstanding this noble provision for 
his more humble subjects, there still remained 
a large number who were destitute of lands 
and houses. In order to accommodate these, 
he caused the walls of the city to be extended 
so as to inclose a very considerable tract, em- 
bracing Mount Cselius; and here he made 
such an allotment, that not a single citizen of 
Rome remained without ground sufficient for 
a dwelling-place. Upon Mount Cselius, too, 
in the midst of these poor subjects, he caused 
his own palace to be erected, and here also, 
established the residences of his principal 
lords. Day by day he thus acquired new 
strength, and in a short time found himself 
surrounded by subjects, not only willing to do 
his bidding, but even ready to bow down and 
worship) him. This w^as the point at which 
he resolved to close his labors for the public 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS. 107 

good, and turn his attention to the gratifica- 
tion of his own passions. 

The glory of war lay closest to his heart. 
To rival the founder of Rome in martial deeds, 
to make his name the terror of neighboring 
nations, and to extend his dominions far and 
wide, were the objects of his thoughts. 

Rome, as we have seen, had by this -time 
become a very flom-ishing city, and was an 
object of jealousy to her older neighbors. 
The city of Alba, whence the first founders 
of Rome sprang, was perhaj)S the most bitter 
among her enemies. Romulus had endeavored 
to promote a friendly feeling among the Al- 
bans, and had even resigned the claim which 
he held upon the throne left vacant at the 
death of his grandfather J^umitor, granting 
them the privilege of electing a yearly magis- 
trate vested with regal powers. The Albans 
considering this a very great favor, repaid it 
by entering into a treaty of friendship with 
the Romans, by which it was agreed that, in 
case the citizens of one nation committed any 
injury upon the other, an application for 
justice should be made to the injuring party 
before resorting to arms. 

They managed to live together in tolerable 
harmony during the reign of JSTuma, but no 



108 Stoeies of Rome. 

sooner had Tulliis received the sceptre, than 
^ jealousy began its work. Cains Clnilins was 
at this time king of Alba, and it would seem 
that in disposition he was not unlike Hostilius, 
though unequal to him in cunning. The 
wealth and increasing power of TuUus and 
the happy condition in which he was placing 
his poorer subjects, was by no means a source 
of gratification to Cluilius or his people, and 
the boasts of the Roman peasants in regard 
to their prosperity only served to increase 
the jealousy of their neighbors. From mere 
words they proceeded to more serious measures, 
and, in a short time, the injuries which they 
committed against each other became matters 
of public complaint. According to the terms 
of the treaty, it was necessary for the injured 
party to make application to the government 
of the other for redress. In this case botli 
governments felt themselves aggrieved, and 
consequently ambassadors were sent from 
both sides to demand amends. Tullus, who 
desired to have the appearance of justice upon 
his side, instructed his ambassadors to proceed 
immediately to Alba, and permit nothing 
whatever to delay them in the execution of 
their commission. He felt quite certain that 
the Albans would refuse to comply with the 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS. 109 

demands of his ambassadors, and that a de- 
claration of war thus forced npon him could 
not be offensive to the gods. Cluilius, less 
thoughtful, did not urge his ambassadors to 
such despatch. Thej travelled at their leisure 
from Alba to Rome, and, on arriving at their 
place of destination, were received at the 
royal palace with the utmost hospitality. 
Tullus directed his attendants to furnish them 
with everything that could administer to their 
pleasure, and thus cause them to defer the 
business upon which they were sent. 

Time passed gaily with them ; and day by 
day they felt less disposed to communicate 
such unpleasant matters to so courteous a 
king. In the mean time the Roman ambas- 
sadors had reached the court of Alba ; they 
proceeded, without delay, to inform Cluilius 
of the depredations committed by his peasantry 
upon those of Rome and demanded immediate 
restitution. This he refused to give ; and, ac- 
cording to previous instructions, they declared 
war against Alba, departing, at once to inform 
Tullus of the result of their mission. 

An opportunity was now afforded to the 
Alban ambassadors to make known the subject 
of their mission. They, being ignorant of 
what had transpired at the court of Alba, be- 



110 Stoeies of Rome. 

gan their business by making a tbousand 
apologies, protesting that "it was very dis- 
agreeable to them to say anything that would 
not be pleasing to Tullus, but that they were 
compelled by their instructions ; they came 
to demand restitution ; and, if that were not 
granted, they had orders to declare war." 
Tullus listened complacently to all that they 
had to say, and, after graciously receiving 
their apologies, thus concluded : " Tell your 
king that the king of Rome aj)peals to the 
gods to judge which of the two states first dis- 
missed, with a refusal, the ambassadors of the 
other demanding restitution ; that, on that 
state they may inflict all the calamities of 
war." 

The Albans, as we may readily conceive, 
were quite mortified at having been so com- 
pletely outwitted. The extraordinary hospi- 
tality with which they were received was at 
once accounted for, and, covered with shame, 
they w^ent back to Alba determined to make 
the best of the matter. 

The most active preparations for war were 
now made by both nations. The undisturbed 
peace in which the Romans had so long dwelt 
was little calculated to fit them for such an 
occasion. Tullus had therefore much to do. 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS. Ill 

and it is not surprising that Le should have 
chosen to remain qnietly in Rome awaiting 
the movements of Cluilius. On the other 
hand, Cluilius, hoping, perhaps, to derive 
some advantage from the hasty preparations 
of the Romans, set forth immediately with a 
large army towards Rome. Having arrived 
within five miles of the city, he encamped his 
troops, fortifying them by means of a deep 
and wide trench which for many ages after- 
wards was called the " Cluilian Trench." 

.'No time was lost, nor were any efforts 
spared to give success to their expedition ; 
but a sudden and most unexpected event had 
well nigh put an end to all their plans. One 
morning Cluilius did not, as usual, make his 
appearance among his soldiers. The daily 
work nevertheless joroceeded under the direc- 
tions of the other officers, though the continued 
absence of the king became the subject of in- 
creasing surprise. Some of the principal 
officers at length determined to find out the 
cause, and accordingly proceeded quietly and 
respectfully to the king's tent ; gently throw- 
ing back the heavy curtains of w^hich it was 
composed, what was their astonishment and 
horror to see Cluilius lying upon his bed a 
lifeless corpse ! His death was evidently not 



112 Stoeies of Kome. 

hy violence, but the result of an insidious 
though fatal disease which, doubtless, had 
long preyed upon him. Fortunately these 
officers had sufficient presence of mind to 
place some one immediately in command, 
before the troops, aware of the king's death, 
should be thrown into confusion. The person 
selected was Mettius Fuffetius. He received 
the title of dictator, and, by his promptness 
and energy, caused everything to move on 
without interruption. 

It was not long before news of the king's 
death reached E-ome, and Tullus, taking ad- 
vantage of the circumstance, proclaimed to 
his soldiers that the gods, by thus striking off 
the head of the Alban nation, intended to in- 
dicate the total destruction of the whole peo- 
ple for having occasioned so impious a war. 
At the same time he collected his troops to- 
gether, and, sallying forth from Kome, passed 
the enemy's camp at night and pushed rapidly 
on with the intention of destroying Alba. 
Mettius, hearing of this j^rocedure, ordered 
his troops to follow in pursuit of Tullus, send- 
ing also, with all haste, an ambassador to tell 
him that it was highly expedient that they 
should confer together before they came to 
an engagement ; that, if he would give him a 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS. 113 

meeting, he was confident that what he had 
to propose for his consideration would appear 
to concern the interest of Rome no less than 
that of Alba." 

Tallus thinking this to be rather a singular 
proposition, nevertheless concluded to accept 
it, and accordingly drew out his soldiers in bat- 
tle array to await the approach of Fuffetius. 
He and his Alban troops soon appeared, and 
took up their position in front of the Komans. 
The leaders now, with a few of their principal 
officers, advanced to the middle space be- 
tween the two armies, and Fuifetius thus ad- 
dressed the Roman king : "I understand 
from our king Cluilius, that, on our part, in- 
juries sustained, and a refusal of satisfaction, 
when demanded, were the cause of the pres- 
ent war ; and I doubt not that you, Tullus, 
allege on your part the same grounds of quar- 
rel ; but, if instead of plausible professions, I 
may be allowed to declare the truth, it is a 
thirst for dominion that stimulates two nations 
connected by their situation, and by consan- 
guinity to take up arms against each other. 
]^or do I examine whether the measures pur- 
sued are justifiable or not ; the determina- 
tion of that point was the business of -him 
who commenced the war ; for my part it was 



114 Stories of Eome. 

for the purpose of carrying it on that the 
Albans constituted me their leader. Of this, 
however, Tullus, I wish to warn you : what a 
formidable power the Etrurians possess, both 
in our neighborhood, and more especially in 
yours, you, as being nearer to them, know 
better than we. On land they are very pow- 
erful ; on the sea exceedingly so. JNTow con- 
sider, that when you shall give the signal for 
battle, they will enjoy the sight of these two 
armies engaged as they would a show, and 
will not fail to attack both the victor and the 
vanquished together, when they see them fa- 
tigued and their strength exhausted. Where- 
foi'e, since we are not content with the cer- 
tain enjoyment of liberty, but are going to 
hazard an uncertain cast for dominion or 
slavery, let us in the name of the gods, pur- 
sue some method whereby, without much loss, 
without much blood of either nation, it may 
be decided which shall have dominion over 
the other." 

This speech did not fail to make a power- 
ful impression upon Tullus, who, though nat- 
urally inclined to hazard the chances of bat- 
tle, possessed sufficient sagacity to see that 
if he should even be victorious, he would 
necessarily become so weakened, as to ren- 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS. 115 

der himself an easy prey to the Etrurians 
and other nations, who were doubtless watch- 
ing a favorable opportunity to fall upon him. 
Some further parley, therefore, took place 
among them, as to the proper mode of settling 
their differences ; and, concluding finally, that 
a battle of some sort was necessary, they de- 
termined that this battle should be decided by 
the smallest number of individuals, and with 
the least amount of bloodshed. Tullus him- 
self offered to fight single-handed with Fuffe- 
tius, and place the fate of their respective 
cities upon the issue. He even urged the 
Alban general to accept his offer, enume- 
rating to him the generals and kings who 
had exposed their lives for their country's 
sake. Fuffetius did not, however, approve 
of a single combat, arguing that, as the 
contest was rather between the two cities 
than the leaders, the decision should be left 
with the citizens, and proposed that three 
chosen men from each city should fight in 
presence of all the Albans and Romans. 
This proposition was accepted by Tullus, and 
the two leaders went back to their respective 
armies, to report the result of this singular 
conference. 

As soon as the agreement was made known, 



116 Stories of Kome. 

the utmost excitement prevailed throughout 
the opposing ranks. Champions on both sides 
immediately presented themselves, and the 
most wonderful emulation arose, both among 
the officers and the soldiers. The leaders, in- 
deed, found great difficulty in making choice 
of the most suitable persons, and the selection 
would have been almost impossible, if Fuf- 
fetius had not called to mind, the existence 
of six extraordinary youths, three of whom 
were Romans, and three Albans, and all 
closely related. These youths were the off- 
spring of twin-sisters, one of whom had mar- 
ried Horatius a Eoman, and the other Cu- 
ratius an Alban. They were consequently 
cousins ; and, what was most remarkable, were 
all born upon the same day. 

Fuffetius at once concluded that the gods 
had raised up these young men for this 
particular emergency, and regarded their 
bravery in battle, their beauty of person, and 
the distinction of their families, as sufficiently 
confirming this opinion. Immediately seek- 
ing another conference with TuUus, he re- 
lated to him the history of these young men, 
and the reasons which he had for leaving 
the decision of the quarrel in their hands. 
Tnllus, deeply impressed by what he heard, 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS. 117 

consented that the destiny of their respective 
cities should be decided bj these persons, 
provided they were willing to engage in a 
fight which seemed to him, so unnatm-al. 

The Curatii, made known to Fuffetius their 
willingness to engage ; and TuUus being in- 
formed of this, summoned the Horatii before 
him, imparted to them the plan devised 
by Fufietius, and the readiness with which 
their cousins had acceded to it. The Horatii 
after a short conference together, answered 
Tullus that they did not feel at liberty to de- 
cide so important a matter, without first con- 
sulting their father, who was still alive, and 
entitled to this tribute of respect. 

Having been dismissed by him, with a 
commendation for their filial piety, they re- 
paired to their father, to whom they made 
known the whole matter, expressing their wil- 
lingness to accept the combat, inasmuch as 
their cousins had first broken the bonds of 
affinity. Their father was much pleased to 
find them in this disposition, and said he felt 
under great obligations to the gods for having 
given him children of so much worth and 
bravery. Having tenderly embraced them, 
he bade them go to Tullus and return him 
both a pious and a generous answer. This 



118 . Stoeies of Kome. 

they accordingly did with great eagerness ; 
and Tullus forthwith despatched a message to 
the Alban general, informing him that the 
Horatii had been chosen as the champions of 
Rome, and were ready to meet at once, the 
champions of Alba. 

Previous to the fight, persons were appoint- 
ed on both sides to arrange a definite treaty, 
the conditions of which were, that whichever 
of the two nations shonld, by its champions, 
obtain victory in the combat, that nation 
should, without further dispute, possess sov- 
ereign dominion over the other. The treaty 
was ratified in the most solemn manner, each 
party publicly reciting these conditions, and 
then calling down the vengeance of Jupiter 
for any violation of them whatever. 

The youths now made their appearance, and 
were conducted by their respective leaders to 
the middle of the open space between the 
two excited armies. The most intense anxiety 
was everywhere manifest when, leaving their 
friends at a suitable distance, they advanced 
to meet each other in the deadly conflict. 
"Whenever they had before met, it was alwa3^s 
with the kindest and most affectionate feel- 
ings ; they had ever lived together like friends 
and brothers ; in fact the sister of one of the 



Tfllts Hostilius. 119 

Horatii was the affianced bride of one of the 
Curatiij and upon his shoulders he, at that mo- 
ment, wore an embroidered cloak worked by 
the fingers of that unhappy bride. Even now 
they did not meet with anger in their hearts, 
or with any feelings which might be naturally 
expected to actuate those who are about en- 
tering into mortal combat. Marching, there- 
fore, slowly and firmly, face to face in their 
awful mission, they suddenly stopped, as if 
arrested by some invisible hand, gazed upon 
each other in a silence interrupted only by 
their stifled sobs, and finally, throwing down 
their swords, rushed into each other's arms, 
uttering expressions of the utmost tender- 
ness and love. It was a moment of absorb- 
ing interest and well calculated to arouse 
the gentle feelings of the vast concourse that 
surrounded them. In fact these feelings were 
displayed in the strongest terms, and on every 
hand the self-reproach of the soldiers and the 
vehement charges of insensibility against their 
leaders were freely and boldly used. 

But this uncontrollable gush of tenderness 
on the part of the youths is but of momentary 
duration ; they love each other dearly, but 
they have not met to fondle or to flatter, to 
talk over past scenes of pleasure or mark out 



120 Stokies of Home. 

plans of future happiness ; their heads lean 
lovingly upon each other's shoulders for the 
last time, and but for a single moment. Rais- 
ing them simultaneously, their eyes meet the 
long ranks of soldiers on every side, with 
shields, and swords, and pikes glittering in 
the sunlight, as if eager to leap upon each 
other in mortal strife. The sight, like a ma- 
gician's wand, seems to transform them both 
in soul and body. The arms that were a mo- 
ment since fondly interlaced, now stiffen and 
repel each other ; the bodies that could then 
stand only by mutual support, acquire a vigor 
of which they seemed incapible, and easily 
separate from each other without any percep- 
tible motion or effort; the eyes, just filled 
with tears, now flash with fire, and move 
warily upon each other ; nor do they cease 
their cautious gaze even to aid the hand in 
searching the sword just thrown upon the 
ground. Fury seizes upon them, and, retreat- 
ing a few steps from each other, they rush to- 
gether with the madness of demons, foot to 
foot and sword to sword. The clash of arms 
is, at first, slowly and regularly begun, but 
presently the blades and shields give forth 
the sounds of a hundred hammers. One at 
last grows weary and retreats ; his foe, willing 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS. 121 

also to recruit a moment, follows slowly till 
they are again engaged as fiercely as before. 
Thus alternate retreat and attack is carried on 
without any perceptible advantage gained on 
either side. 

Hitherto both armies had looked upon the 
scene in breathless silence, their hopes of suc- 
cess equally balanced. !N^ow the combat 
deepens. Every sword is playing with the 
rapidity of lightning. The combatants are 
all mingled together, and blows are dealt with 
a vigor and resolution that portend a speedy 
termination to the contest. Immediately a 
shout of joy ascends from the Alban ranks 
that rings and echoes all through the adjacent 
hills. Four combatants alone are visible ; two 
of the Horatii are dead and the remaining 
brother, surrounded by his victorious foes, is 
threatened with immediate destruction ; but 
they are all sorely wounded, and he, untouched, 
leaps from their midst and flies for safety. The 
wide and clear field is before him and on he 
goes, pursued, though with unequal steps, by 
his exulting enemies ; his pace now slackens 
as he perceives the increasing space which 
separates those who fancy him an easy prey ; 
and presently wheeling around he rushes with 
the fury of a madman upon his nearest pur- 



122 Stoeies of Rome. 

suer. Desperation lends each blow a ten-fold 
vigor, and before bis second pursuer gains the 
spot, the first is stretched lifeless on the 
ground. With equal ardor he attacks the 
second, who proving a more feeble enemj 
than the first, is with little difficulty despatch- 
ed. One only now remains, and he, though 
wounded and deprived of succor, limps slow- 
ly yet bravely towards his victorious enemy. 
The exulting Roman, awaiting his approach, 
cries out, " Two of you have I offered to the 
shades of my brothers, the third I will offer 
to the cause in which we are engaged, that 
the Roman may rule over the Alban ;" and 
advancing he thrusts his sword downward into 
the throat of his antagonist. A long and 
deafening shout of joy bursts forth from the 
Roman ranks, while the vanquished Albans, 
with undisguised sorrow throw down their 
arms, and in the attitude of slaves patiently 
await the orders to which destiny has subjected 
them. 

The fight concluded, the two leaders once 
more advanced, the one, however, in the 
character of master, and the other in that of 
subaltern. Having first caused the dead 
bodies of their champions to be buried, they con- 
ferred together in their respective capacities. 



TULLUS HOSTILITJS. 123 

TuUus finally gave orders to Fuffetius to 
return to Alba, and there hold his troops in 
readiness to assist the Roman army in a war 
with the Yeientians which he was daily appre- 
hending. Fuffetius obeyed with apparent 
submission, and the two armies separated. 

The Romans, overjoyed with their easy 
yictory, immediately commenced their home- 
w^ard march. The surviving Horatius took 
the head of the army, bearing upon his shoul- 
ders the spoils of the slaughtered Curatii. 
Approaching the city, they redoubled their 
cries of victory ; the gates flew open, and a 
crowd of joyful women and children rushed 
into the open plains to meet their advancing 
friends. Foremost among them was the sister 
of Horatius, ignorant of the combat which had 
covered her brother with glory, while it had 
robbed her of a cherished lover. Observing 
that he occupied a post of distinguished 
honor, she hastened to embrace him, but 
what was her astonishment and anguish 
when she saw upon his shoulders the cloak 
which she had embroidered for her betrothed. 
Uttering the most bitter lamentations and 
tearing out her tresses by the roots, she fell 
prostrate before him. The fierce youth, little 
expecting such a reception, and mortified by 



124 Stories of Home. 

the conduct of his sister, drew forth his sword, 
plunged it in her breast, exclaiming at the 
same time : " Begone to thy spouse with thy 
unseasonable love, since thou couldst forget 
what is due to the memory of thy deceased 
brothers, to him who still survives, and to thy 
native country ! So perish every daughter of 
Home that shall mourn for its enemy !" 

The spectators of this awful scene were 
seized with consternation. Its brutality was 
undeniable ; the valor which the youth had 
shown in his country's cause was all that 
saved him from the summary vengeance of 
his comrades. He was, nevertheless, taken 
from the exalted position which he occupied, 
and hurried into the presence of the king for 
judgment. The king found himself in a very 
awkward situation. He was unwilling to pun- 
ish the man to whom he was so recently in- 
debted for his kingdom, and, at the same 
time, felt himself compelled to sustain the 
majesty of the law. Some action in the case 
was however inevitable, and he accordingly 
summoned an assembly of the people say- 
ing : "I appoint two commissioners to pass 
judgment on Horatius for murder according 
to law." The law, in a case of this kind, was 
as follows : " Let two commissioners pass 



Tfllus HosTiLirs. 125 

judgment for murder. If the accused appeal 
from the commissioners, let the appeal be 
tried. If their sentence be confirmed, cover 
his head, hang him bj a rope on the gal- 
lows. Let him be scourged either within the 
Pomerium or without the Pomerium." 

The two commissioners who were appointed 
by the king proceeded to examine the case of 
Horatius, and, the evidence of his guilt being 
clear and overwhelming, thej could not do 
otherwise than pass upon him the sentence 
which the law required. Having summoned 
him into their presence, one of them stood up 
and pronounced in his hearing the following 
words : " Publius Horatius, I sentence thee 
to punishment as a murderer : go, lictor, bind 
his hands." Before the cord was fastened, 
Horatius, who had been previously instruct- 
ed by the king, exclaimed: "I appeal." 
The lictor then loosened him and delivered 
him to the people for trial. 

The father of the unhappy youth took this 
opportunity to work upon their feelings, and 
during the course of the trial he managed, by 
his eloquence and his tears, to arouse the 
sympathy of his countrymen and to enlist 
them in behalf of the prisoner. He even de- 
clared that his daughter was worthy of death ; 



126 Stories of Bome. 

he besouglit them that they would not leave 
childless him whom they had so lately seen 
smTonnded by a large and happy progeny. 
" Oh, my fellow-citizens," he exclaimed, "can 
you bear to behold laden with chains, and 
condemned to ignominy, stripes and tortures, 
this youth whom, but just now, you saw cov- 
ered with the ornaments of victory, marching 
in triumph ? a sight so horrid, that scarcely 
could the eyes of the Albans themselves en- 
dure it ! Go, lictor, bind the arms, which, 
but now, wielded those weapons that ac- 
quired dominion to the Roman people ; cover 
the head of that man to whom your city owes 
its liberty ; hang him on the gallows ; scourge 
him within the Pomerium, but do it between 
those pillars, to which are suspended the 
trophies of his victory ; scourge him without 
the Pomerium, but do it between the tombs 
of the Curatii ; for to what place can you lead 
this youth, where the monuments of his glory 
would not redeem him from the ignominy of 
such a punishment?" 

It was not in vain that this aged and broken- 
hearted father addressed himself to the Roman 
peoj^le. The bravery of the son too, and the 
calmness with which he awaited his fate were 
not without eifect ; and a sentence of acquit- 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS. 127 

tal was unanimously passed ujDon him. It 
seemed necessary, however, that a punish- 
ment of some sort should be administered, 
and the father was accordingly ordered to 
make expiatory sacrifices. The son also was 
compelled to undergo what was considered a 
very ignominious punishment, that of passing 
under the yoke. This was nothing less than 
an humble acknowledgment of submission 
and servitude, and was a punishment gen- 
erally inflicted upon enemies taken captive in 
war. In this case, as in many others, a beam 
was laid across one of the streets of the city, 
somewhat elevated above the ground, and the 
young Horatius was obliged to walk bare- 
headed under it. This beam was preserved 
for a long time in Rome, and was called the 
Sister's Beam. 

After the combat between the Horatii and 
the Qiratii had been decided, Fuffetius, over- 
whelmed with shame, returned to Alba deter- 
mined as soon as possible to shake off the 
yoke to which misfortune had subjected him. 
This d,e termination was not a little strength- 
ened by the dissatisfaction, openly expressed 
by his countrymen, at his having hazarded 
the liberty of the city upon the uncertain 
issue of a combat between six champions. By 



128 Stoeies of Eome. 

skilful management, he succeeded however in 
quieting the turbulent spirit manifested by the 
people ; and, having confided his designs to 
his most influential officers, he aj^plied him- 
self to instructing his soldiers in the art of 
war. In the meantime he sought every op- 
portunity to stir ii]3 the neighboring nations 
against the Romans, who were his masters ac- 
cording to the conditions of that most solemn 
agreement entered into between them. 'No 
very great length of time elapsed before 
the Fidenatians were induced, with the con- 
currence of the Yeientians, to take np arms 
against the Eoman power. It would of course 
be necessary for Fuffetins, with his Alban 
troops, to join the forces of Tullus, but he 
agreed with the Fidenatians that, as soon as a 
favorable opportunity occurred, he would de- 
sert the Romans and lend his aid to overcome 
them. . 

The war being inevitable, Tullus sent word 
to Fuffetins to join him in fighting the Fide- 
natians and the Yeientians ; and the four ar- 
mies met in battle array near the conflux of 
the rivers Anio and Tiber. The army of Tul- 
lus was drawn up immediately in front of the 
Yeientians, and the Alban army was posted 
in face of the Fidenatians. The river was 



TULLITS HOSTILIUS. 129 

upon one side of the battle-field, and a num- 
ber of liigli bills upon the other. As the 
signal for commencing the engagement was 
about to be made, Fuffetius gave orders to 
his troops to march towards the neighboring 
hills. This singular movement gave neither 
alarm to the Romans nor assurance to their 
enemies, for it did not look like desertion. 
Fuffetius in truth so intended it, for, being 
too great a coward to fight on either side, 
he determined to post his troops in a place 
of safety, and then take part with whichever 
army should prove victorious. 

The Romans who were stationed nearest to 
the place which had been abandoned by Fuf- 
fetius, at last becoming uneasy and suspicious 
of his extraordinary manoeuvre, sent a horse- 
man with the utmost speed to inform Tullus 
of what had happened. Tullus, at once guess- 
ing the design of Fuffetius, received the mes- 
sage with great calmness, and being in a posi- 
tion where he could be heard by the enemy, 
raised his voice to a high pitch and scolded 
the horseman in round terms for his stupidity. 
He ordered him to repair to his post, saying 
at the same time, that the Alban army had 
wheeled around by his command in order to 
fall on the unprotected rear of the Fidenatians. 

9 



130 Stoeies of Rome. 

Tulliis, nevertheless, was much alarmed, and he 
mentally prayed to the gods for help, vowing 
that if they granted it he would institute 
twelve new Salian priests, and also build 
temples to Paleness and Terror. 

As quick as possible he commanded the 
cavalry to raise their spears aloft in order 
that the retreat of the Albans might not be 
seen by the infantry, whom it might serve to 
dishearten. While the words and the appear- 
ance of Tullus gave confidence to those of his 
soldiers who saw and heard him, they also 
struck terror among the enemy, who had 
hojDed that the movement of Fuifetius was 
an indication of his desertion to their side. 
Dreading lest the Albans, deceiving them, 
should suddenly rush upon them from the 
hills, they started oif in the most disorderly 
flight. Tullus, seizing the opportunity, pressed 
them close ; and it was not long before the 
army both of the Fidenatians and of the Yei- 
entians were routed in the most dreadful man- 
ner, and forced to the very banks of the river. 
Here they were in such confusion and so over- 
powered by fear, that many of them madly 
threw their arms into the stream, even suf- 
fering voluntary death rather than stand 
against their foes. Never was victory more 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS. 131 

complete, and never had the Roman army 
been engaged in a more desperate struggle. 

As soon as the engagement had closed, the 
Albans marched down from the hills where 
they were stationed, and Fufietins, approach- 
ing Tnllus, began to congratulate him on the 
valor of his troops, and the happy termination 
of the combat. TuUus replied to him w^ith 
apparent cordiality, and without the least sign 
of disj)leasure, ordered that the Alban army 
should, on the morrow, join their camp with 
the Romans, and unite in performing the sac- 
rifices customary on such occasions. I^othing 
whatever betrayed the feelings of Tulius at 
this meeting, and they parted for the night 
on terms, which led no one to anticipate the 
events of the following day. 

No sooner had the sun risen, than Tulius 
commanded both armies to be summoned to- 
gether in assembly. The heralds were ordered 
to proceed, first to the camp of the Albans, 
and, having gathered them in a body, to con- 
trive to have them surrounded by the Roman 
army. Instructions w^ere at the same time given 
to the centurions, to execute without delay, 
whatever commands they should receiA^e. All 
the arrangements being completed, Tulius took 
a prominent position, and addressed the Ro- 



132 Stories of Rome. 

man soldiers in tlie following words : " If ever, 
Romans, there has hitherto occmTed, at any 
time, or in any war, an occasion that called 
on you to return thanks, first, to the immortal 
gods, and next, to your own valor, it was the 
battle of yesterday; for ye had to struggle, 
not only with your enemies, but, what is still 
more difiicult and dangerous, with the treach- 
ery and perfidy of your allies ; for I will now 
undeceive you. It was not by my order, that 
the Albans withdrew to the mountains, nor was 
what ye heard me say, the issuing of orders, 
but a stratagem, and a pretext of having given 
orders, to the end that while ye were kept in 
ignorance of your being deserted, your atten- 
tion might not be drawn away from the fight ; 
and that at the same time, the enemy believ- 
ing themselves to be surrounded in the rear, 
might be struck with terror and dismay. But 
the guilt which I am exposing to you, extends 
not to all the Albans. They followed their 
leader, as ye would have done, had I chosen 
that the army should make any movement 
from the ground which it occupied. Mettius 
Fuffetius was the leader of that march ; this 
same Mettius was the schemer of this war. 
Mettius it was who broke the league between 
the Romans and Albans. May others dare 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS. 133 

to commit like crimes, if I do not now 
make liim a conspicuous example to all man- 
kind." 

At a signal from Tullus, the centurions in 
arms gathered around FuiFetius, and their 
king thus proceeded : ''Albans, be the meas- 
ure prosperous, fortunate and happy to the 
Roman people, to me and to you ; it is my 
intention to remove the entire people of Alba 
to Rome, to give to the commoners the priv- 
ileges of citizens, to enrol the principal inhab- 
itants among the Fathers, and to form of the 
whole, one city, one republic. As the State 
of Alba, from being one people, was hereto- 
fore divided into two, so let these be now re- 
united." 

The Albans received this speech in profound 
silence, and Tullus perceiving no signs of re- 
bellion on their part, turned to their general 
and thus addressed him : "Mettius Fuffetius, 
if you were capable of learning to preserve 
faith, and a regard to treaties, I should suffer 
you to live, and supply you with instructions ; 
but your disposition is incurable ; let your 
punishment then, teach mankind to con- 
sider those things as sacred, which you have 
dared to violate. As, therefore, you lately 
kept your mind divided between the interests 



134 Stoeies of Rome. 

of the Fidenatians and of the Romans, so shall 
you now have your body divided and torn in 
pieces." 

Having thus concluded, he ordered two 
chariots to be brought with four horses at- 
tached to each. Placing the chariots back to 
back, he caused the body of Fuffetius to be 
strongly bound, partly upon one and partly 
upon the other ; then, at a given signal, the 
chariots were driven in different directions, 
each bearing off portions of the mangled body, 
and torn limbs of the unfortunate traitor. The 
sight was truly horrid, and even those soldiers 
present, who had often looked upon carnage 
and death, were obliged to shut their eyes, 
and turn from the spectacle. It is but just to 
say, that such an execution had never befoj'e 
been known among the Romans, and was 
never thereafter regarded as a precedent. 

While all this was going on, the Roman 
cavalry, by command of Tullus, had hastened 
to Alba and commenced collecting together 
its citizens and urging the work of their re- 
moval to Rome. It was not long before the 
Roman legions arrived to add their assistance 
in the task ; and soon that ancient and orderly 
city was a scene of the wildest confusion. 
Soldiers were running in all directions, call- 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS. 135 

ing upon the inhabitants to leave their homes 
and place themselves upon the road to Rome. 
Old men were tottering under the weight of 
some valued relic, some household god ; wo- 
men and children snatching, madly, some 
trifling keep-sake, while here and there 
clouds of dust and smoke arose, indicative of 
the speedy and complete destruction of the 
town. ITot the least resistance was offered 
to the Roman legions, but gloomy silence and 
dumb sorrow took possession of the unfortu- 
nate people. It was only as they passed by 
the temples where they had been accustomed 
to worship, that they gave utterance to their 
grief. Then they sent forth the most bitter 
lamentations ; but the presence of large bands 
of Roman soldiers filled them with despair, 
and onward through the city gates they were 
forced to march, ignorant, and, indeed, care- 
less as to their destiny. At last, the city 
being entirely deserted by its inhabitants, the 
houses were all levelled to the ground, with 
the exception of the temples, which Tullus 
had ordered to be spared. Thus was de- 
stroyed that proud city of Alba, which foi 
four hundred years had been the glory of 
Italy, and the mother of many of its most 
flourishing colonics. 



136 Stories of Rome. 

So sudden and so large an addition to tlie 
citizens of Rome was, to say the least, a mat- 
ter of considerable inconvenience ; but the 
ingenuity and willof TuUus were equal to the 
emergency, and accommodations were speed- 
ily prepared for their adopted brethren. The 
city boundaries were so much augmented as 
to include the Cselian mount, and here Tullus 
himself built a palace in order to induce 
others to select it as a residence. Anew Sen- 
ate-house was also designed and built, for 
Tullus, resolving that the Albans and Ro- 
mans should be thoroughly blended together, 
had enrolled the chief families of Alba among 
the Senators, thereby greatly increasing this 
venerable body. Nor did he neglect the 
lower orders of this captive people. Ten 
troops of horsemen were selected from them, 
and his own chosen legions, which had been 
somewhat thinned by reason of war and other- 
wise, were filled up from among them ; so 
that in a com23aratively short time, the Albans 
became quite reconciled to their change of 
abode, and quite easy under their new rela- 
tions. One hundred years had now elapsed 
since the foundation of Rome. 

Tullus suffered some little time to pass be- 
fore bringing his troops again into the field. 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS. 137 

Meanwhile he continued to exercise them 
daily in the use of arms, and kept them in 
constant readiness to attack or repel his foes. 

The Fidenatians at last forgetful of their 
terrible slaughter, had the temerity to rise up 
against him. This war, however, was of short 
duration. A single battle was sufficient to 
drive the Fidenatians within the walls of their 
city ; but TuUus having been aroused, was not 
contented with simply putting his enemies to 
flight. JSTo thing short of their complete sub- 
jugation would suffice him, and he accord- 
ingly followed them to their gates, and there 
besieged them with such determination that 
they were finally glad to surrender upon any 
terms which he might choose to dictate. 
TuUus had now grown so powerful that he de- 
spised the small advantage which might be 
gained either by the destruction of their city 
or by exacting their alliance ; so he was satis- 
fied by simply punishing the most seditious 
among their chieftains, and restoring liberty 
to the city. 

It will be remembered that, during the reign 
of Romulus, a great portion of the Sabine na- 
tion had removed to Kome and had been 
incorporated with the Roman people. Of this 
nation, however, there were many who refused 



138 Stories of Kome. 

all alliance with Rome, and these, retaining 
their ancient possessions, had, in course of 
time, greatly increased in wealth and strength. 
The animositj which had existed between 
them and the Romans had'never been entirely 
overcome, and, as the Sabines rose in power, 
they sought every opportunity to revenge 
themselves upon their former foes. Trifling 
injuries were of daily occurrence on both 
sides, and demands for redress were constantly 
interchanged. 'No satisfaction, however, could 
be obtained by either party, and war was the 
result, evidently desired and expected. This 
war was not of short duration, nor were the 
Roman arms always attended with success. 
Many and bloody battles were fought, in which 
neither side seemed to gain any considerable 
advantage. At last, however, the two armies 
met in great force near a wood called Mali- 
tiosa, where after a long and deadly conflict, 
the Sabines were put to flight and thrown into 
complete disorder. Experience had taught 
Tullus that this was an opportunity not to be 
neglected, and, urging on his troops, he pursued 
them with a dreadful slaughter ; their camp 
was completely broken up, and so utterly 
were they despoiled that it seemed impossible 
for them to renew the contest. 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS. 139 

After this war, Tullns received very little 
trouble from his enemies. The Latins made 
occasional incm-sions upon his territories, but 
no serious engagements ever took place be- 
tween them. 

It is related that about this time a shower 
of stones fell upon the Alban Mount, and that 
a voice was heard issuing from the grove on 
the summit of the hill, commanding the Al- 
bans to perform religious rites according to 
the practice of their native land. The Albans, 
since their removal to Home, had neglected 
these ceremonies, abandoning, as it were, their 
deities together with their country. To make 
some atonement, therefore, for their past con- 
duct, they, as well as the Komans, instituted 
a festival of nine days, which they continued 
to observe as often as this phenomenon oc- 
curred. 

Not long after this, a misfortune, in no wise 
imaginary, befell the city. A dreadful pesti- 
lence broke out ; hundreds died daily even in 
the street, and the State seemed in danger 
of dissolution. To prevent such a calamity, 
Tullus found frequent pretexts for leading 
his armies into the field, and by dint of oc- 
cupation and other excitements caused them 
to forget the dreadful scourge with which they 



140 Stories of Rome. 

were visited. The plague gradually subsided, 
but the days of the warlike king of Rome 
were drawing to a close, and he, who but 
lately thought that nothing betrayed so much 
weakness or was so unworthy of a king as to 
be occupied with matters of religion, became 
a slave to every kind of superstition. So de- 
voted was he, at last, to meditations and reli- 
gious ceremonies, that war and the interests 
of the State were entirely forgotten. The 
disease with which he was attacked was slow- 
ly but certainly bringing him to the grave ; 
yet he believed the gods would work some 
miracle in his behalf. To propitiate them, 
therefore, became his constant aim, and day 
by day, he shut himself up to study the com- 
mentaries of l^uma and to converse with the 
wise men of his kingdom. IS^othing however 
availed him, and it seems as if the gods, in 
order to show him their power and their anger, 
caused his death in a manner more sudden 
and more terrible than he had anticipated. 
While he was one day engaged in performing 
a sacrifice to Jupiter Elicius, a violent storm 
arose ; the house in which he dwelt was struck 
by lightning, and both himself and his prop- 
erty were all reduced to ashes. 

Thus after a reign of thirty-two years Tnllus 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS. 141 

died, leaving Kome in a prosperous condition, 
greatly enlarged and improved. As a ruler 
lie had succeeded in enforcing obedience to 
his laws, and in preserving the respect of his 
subjects. As a general he disj)layed great 
presence of mind, a thorough knowledge of war 
and singular prudence in the midst of the 
greatest dangers. His greatest fault was an 
undue love of arms, and a neglect of that 
moral and religious culture so essential to the 
growth and prosperity of a nation. 



INCUS MARCIUS. 

FROM 638 TO 614 B.C. 



Condition of Rome — Reasons for electing Ancus Marcius 
to the Throne — His First Act upon Receiving the Crown — 
Depredations of the Neighboring Nations — Ambassadors sent 
to the Latins — Their Reception — Ancus resolves to obtain 
Satisfaction from the Latins — The Feciales — Form of Declar- 
ing War — Capture and Destruction of Politorium — Addi- 
tions to the Population of Rome — Siege of Fidense — Building 
of Ostia — Establishment of Prisons — Enlargement of the 
Temple of Jupiter — Worship of Jupiter — Story of Lucumo 
— Death of Ancus. 



IV. 

On the death of Tulhis, the government 
fell into the hands of the Senate, by whom it 
continued to be exercised until the choice of 
another king. This interregnum was not of 
long continuance, for the people, not perhaps 
weary of war, but mindful of the peaceful 
and happy reign of l^uma, soon united in 
bringing to the throne, the grandson of that 
estimable king. This prince, named Ancus 
Marcius, was distinguished throughout the 
city of Rome, for the gentleness of his dispo- 
sition, and for his fondness for the arts of 
peace. 

Ronie had now attained a high degree of 

power. Reposing upon its oft-tried strength 

and the terror which its arms had spread 

abroad, the sage and more moderate part of 

its people were anxious to repair what the 

10 



146 Stoeies of Rome. 

warlike character of Tullus had left neglected. 
The temples of the gods had in fact been al- 
most abandoned, and commerce, ao^ricultnre, 
and the arts had not for many years received 
that care and protection, which a king should 
bestow upon matters of such vital conse- 
quence. It was, therefore, in view of all these 
things, that Ancus Marcius was raised to su- 
preme authority ; nor did he disappoint the 
expectations of his admiring subjects. 

Almost the first act of his reign, was to call 
together an assembly of the people, and to 
represent to them, the importance of rever- 
ence for the gods, and a strict observance of 
the ceremonies of religion. He recounted the 
innumerable benefits which had been con- 
ferred upon them ; their continual success in 
war, and the growth and prosperity of the city. 
He showed them, too, that by reason of their 
ingratitude, and their disregard of religious 
duties, the gods had visited them with sickness, 
pestilence, and divers evils ; and warned them 
that a long-continued neglect of these duties, 
would result in their final desolation. 

Arguments of this kind were not without 
efiect, and the appearance of the assembly 
fortified him in his resolution to reform the 
State. With this view, he sent for the priests 



Angus Maecius. 147 

and demanded of them the works, which his 
grandfather JSTuma had composed concerning 
the sacrifices, and, having selected suitable 
persons, he caused these works to be trans- 
cribed upon oaken planks, which he had erect- 
ed in the j)ublic places, in order that they 
might be read and known by all the citizens. 
ISTor did he stop here ; the worship in the 
temples and the daily sacrifices were con- 
ducted with all their ancient regularity and 
solemnity, and whatever had been neglected 
or suffered to decay, he restored to its original 
condition. The arts once more began to 
flourish, and the fields and plains that lay 
around the city,^resumed the thriving appear- 
ance, which they were wont to wear during 
the reign of ITuma. 

All this was pleasing to, and in accordance 
with, the wishes of his subjects. The neigh- 
boring nations, too, regarded it with satisfac- 
tion, for they naturally supposed that a king 
having such inclinations, would be av^erse to 
war, and therefore likely to be imposed uj^on, 
and perhaps easily subdued. Accordingly, 
the beautiful preparations which Ancus had 
made for a peaceful reign were scarcely com- 
pleted, when the restless Latins, flattered with 
the hope of success, and regardless of the 



148 Stories of Rome. 

treaty established with Tullus, began to make 
incursions into the Roman territories. Their 
depredations were at first trifling, bnt, finding 
that they were unnoticed, they became more 
bold, and, instead of acting like mere thieves, 
they sallied forth in numerous bands, scatter- 
ing the shepherds and flocks of Rome, and 
bearing off the abundant harvests that were 
intended for the nourishment of the city. 
Such audacity could not. be suffered to pass 
unheeded. Ancus, unwilling to resort to vio- 
lent measures, if satisfaction could be other- 
wise obtained, sent ambassadors to the Latins, 
instructing them to complain of the outrages 
committed against the Roman people, and to 
demand satisfaction. 

The Latins, however, supposing Ancus to 
be a pious and devoted prince who employed 
his time amid the temples and the altars, told 
the ambassadors that they knew nothing 
about the injuries with which they were 
charged ; and that as to King Ancus, they 
were not under obligations to keep with him 
the treaties which they had formed with 
Tullus. This reply was sufficient to convince 
Ancus that it was impossible for him to enjoy 
the repose to which he was naturally inclined. 
He saw clearly that there were circumstances 



Angus Marcius. 149 

tinder which jDatience ceased to become a vir- 
tue, and that too great an exhibition of it 
would draw upon him the contempt of his 
subjects ; that, in short, the spirit of Tullus 
rather than that of ]N'uma should actuate him. 
He determined therefore to declare war; but 
he was determined to do it in such a manner 
as to place the gods and right upon his side. 

In accordance with this resolution he sum- 
moned the Feciales to wait upon him. The 
Feciales were an order of priests introduced 
into Kome by Numa, and their business re- 
lated chiefly to treaties and agreements per- 
taining to peace and war. The highest in 
rank among them was called the Pater Patra- 
tus. It devolved upon him, or the Feciales 
under him, to give the enemy the warning, 
which precedes a declaration of war, and to 
make the declaration by uttering a solemn 
form, and hurling a spear into the enemy's 
limits. These priests were also the usual 
agents in effecting an armistice or cessation 
of hostilities. They were also charged with 
the enforcing of treaties, and the demanding 
of amends for their violation. 

Ancus, having given to them the necessary 
instructions, sent them in a formal manner to 
the enemy's country. Arriving within their 



150 Stories of Rome. 

boundaries, one of them, duly s^elected, ut- 
tered, in the presence of proper witnesses, 
these words, " Oh Jupiter, hear me ! and 
thou, Juno, Quirinus, and all ye gods of heav- 
en, and ye of the earth, and ye of the infer- 
nal regions, hear ; I call you to witness that 
the Latin people are unjust and do not per- 
form what equity requires. But concerning 
those affairs, we will consult the elders of our 
own country, by what means we may obtain 
our rights." Having uttered these words, 
they all returned to Rome in order to ascer- 
tain the opinion of the king and Senate before 
taking further steps. 

The king immediately called together the 
Senate, and, arraying himself in his royal 
robes, entered their midst. Having briefly 
stated the cause which had convened them, he 
turned towards the Senator, who sat nearest, 
and thus addressed him : " Concerning those 
matters, controversies and arguments which 
were a,2:itated between the Pater Patratus of 
the Roman people, the Quirites, and the 
Pater Patratus of the ancient Latins, and the 
ancient Latin people, which matters ought to 
have been granted, jDerformed and discharged ; 
but which they have neither granted, perform- 
ed, nor discharged, declare what is your opin- 



Angus Maecius. 151 

ion ?" The Senator, looking at the king, re- 
plied : " I am of opinion that the j)erformance 
of them onght to be exacted in just and regu- 
lar war, wherefore I consent to and vote for 
it." In like manner the king questioned 
every Senator present ; and a majority being 
of the same opinion, a vote was passed for war. 
This decision having been made known to 
the Feciales, one of them, carrying a spear 
pointed with steel, proceeded immediately to 
the borders of the Latin nation and summon- 
ing a sufficient number of witnesses, he ex- 
claimed in a loud voice : " Forasmuch as 
the States of the ancient Latins and the an- 
cient Latin people have acted against and 
behaved unjustly towards the Roman people, 
the Quirites ; forasmuch as the Roman people, 
the Quirites, have ordered that there, should 
be war with the ancient Latins, and the Senate 
of the Roman people, the Quirites, have given 
their opinion, consented and voted that war 
should be made with the ancient Latins ; 
therefore I and the Roman people do declare 
and make war against the States of the an- 
cient Latins and the ancient Latin people." 
Having uttered these words, he cast his sj)ear 
within their boundaries and returned imme- 
diately to Rome. 



152 Stoeies of Rome. 

In preparing for this war, Ancus omitted 
nothing which could contribute to the suc- 
cess of his arms abroad, and to the welfare of 
his people at home. His first care w^as to 
provide for the strict observance of all the 
religious forms and ceremonies, and, to this 
end, he caused the clearest instructions to be 
given to the flamens and other priests. He 
also made wholesome regulations concerning 
commerce and agriculture, and put the city 
in a condition to defend itself against any 
sudden attack during his absence. He then 
assembled a new and large army, appointing 
officers on whose fidelity he could rely, and 
prescribing the most wholesome rules for their 
own government and for the government of 
those under their command. Thus prepared 
he was determined that the punishment of 
the Latins should be an example to the other 
nations around him. 

His first step was towards Politorium, a 
large and well-fortified city belonging to this 
people. The enemy little expecting such reso- 
lute and vigorous preparation, became alarmed 
and took refuge within the walls ; but Ancus 
was bent upon their punishment, and accord- 
ingly hastened the construction of engines 
and implements suitable for forcing his way 



Angus Marcius. 153 

among them. !N"or was he unsuccessful. The 
sldll with which he directed each attack, 
and the prudence and determination with 
which he followed up every advantage gained 
for him the reputation of an able general, and 
crowned his undertaking with success. Hav- 
ing entered the city with his victorious troops, 
he caused the people to be disarmed, and, 
without destroying a single house, marched 
them all after the example of TuUus, to Rome. 
Here he assigned them homes on Mount Aven- 
tine, and enrolled them among the number of 
the citizens ; so there were now four distinct 
nations united within the walls of Rome : the 
original Romans who occupied the ground 
about the Pallatium, the Sabines, to whom 
was allotted the capitol with the citadel, the 
Albans, who dwelt on the Cselian Mount, and 
these new citizens, the Latins, to whom Mount 
Aventine was assigned. By the adoption of 
lenient measures and a wise policy, Ancus 
had no difficulty in causing them to submit 
to his wishes in regard to their place of abode, 
and they soon became accustomed to their lot 
and fond of their new ruler. 

But Ancus did not stop at the subjugation 
of Politorium. As soon as his first conquest 
was made sure, he set forth with his army 



154 Stokies OF Rome. 

and laid sies'e to Tellenag and likewise to Fi- 
cana, a citj situated on the river Tiber, about 
midway between Rome and the sea. These 
places were also compelled to submit to the 
power of his arms, their inhabitants being 
likewise forced to pack up their effects and 
exchange their former homes for one upon 
Mount Aventine. 

By the time that these new comers were 
well provided for and brought imder proper 
discipline, the rebellious city of Politorium, 
which had been left uninjured by the Romans, 
was filled by an entirely new population, all 
however of the Latin nation. This piece of 
audacity was highly offensive to Ancus, and 
he lost no time in testifying to them his dis- 
pleasure. Setting forth with his troops to- 
wards Politorium, what was his astonishment 
to find the inhabitants of that city advancing, 
in battle array, to meet him. His well-dis- 
ciplined troops were at once placed in proper 
order to attack them ; nor did they do it with 
any lack of vigor. A great slaughter ensued, 
and the Latins were completely vanquished. 
Again Ancus marched into the city of Polito- 
rium, not, however, to leave it as before : 
every house was razed to the ground ; the 
walls were demolished and scattered about 



Angus Marcius. 155 

the plain, so that it could never thereafter be- 
come a receptacle for the enemy. This un- 
dertaking being accomplished, he returned 
with his troops to Eome. 

The Latins still remained unconquered ; 
and, resolute in their resistance of the Roman 
power, they concentrated their forces in Me- 
duUia, where they made preparations for a 
final encounter with their victorious foes. 
J^othing which could contribute to their safety 
and success was omitted : the most powerful 
works were raised about the walls, and a well- 
protected camp was pitched in the open plain. 

Ancus with his army proceeded against 
them ; and, being well aware of the resist- 
ance prepared for him, omitted nothing 
which could contribute to the success of his 
arms. Immediately upon reaching the enemy 
he began the attack; and so vigorously was 
it conducted, that he soon succeeded in driv- 
ing them terrified and distracted within the 
walls of the city. Protected somewhat from 
immediate danger, they here rallied for a 
while ; but Ancus did not suffer a moment to 
be lost. His successful troops dashed madly 
upon the fortifications, and levelling them to 
the ground, marched over them, masters at 
length of the Latin people. 



156 Stoeies of Rome. 

Depriving the enemy of their arms, and 
compelling them to bring forth all their treas- 
ures and deliver them into his charge, he 
caused everything that was valuable to be 
removed to Rome, at the same time ordering 
the subdued people to march thither, as he 
had done with others upon former occasions. 
Thus, the population of Rome was again aug- 
mented by many thousands, and it became 
necessary to extend its limits. The ground 
lying near the temple of Marcia, was allotted 
to the new comers, in order to unite the Aven- 
tine to the Palatine hill. Janiculum was also 
inclosed within the city, that it might never 
be used as a place of strength for an enemy ; 
a connection with it being formed, by means 
of a wooden bridge built across the Tiber. 

Ancus was not permitted to rest long after 
this victory. The Sabines took up arms 
against him, and it was only by dint of hard 
fighting that he was able to repress them. He 
was obliged to spend a great length of time 
in besieging Fidense, despairing for a while 
of making it yield. He succeeded, however, 
after secretly digging a subterraneous passage 
from his camp imder the walls of the city. 
Each of these victories added to the number 
of the citizens of Rome. 



Ancus Maecitjs. 167 

Besides the great additions which Ancus 
made to the population and extent of the 
city, he undertook and accomplished a work 
which contributed greatly to the wealth and 
comfort of its inhabitants, and which opened 
the way to conquests, far more glorious than 
any that had hitherto been made. The Tiber 
taking its rise in the Appenines, and flowing 
along the walls of Rome, finally emptied into 
the Tyrrhenum Sea, near a place which was 
very inconvenient for shipping. Although it 
was navigable for vessels of considerable size, 
from the sea even as far as Kome, still it was 
not of much service to the city, because there 
was no port that could receive and protect the 
vessels, which would otherwise facilitate its 
commerce. Ancus found means of making a 
port, quite sufficient for the wants of the city. 
He also founded and fortified a town at the 
mouth of the river, which he called Ostia. 
Large vessels were now able to trade with 
Rome, making their way thither by the assist- 
ance of sails and oars. He also took means 
to protect these vessels against the attacks of 
robbers and enemies. This was effected by 
stationing a garrison on Mount Janiculum, 
and providing rapid means of communication 
with all parts of the river. 



158 Stoeies of Home. 

In proportion as the number of the citizens 
increased, licentiousness and crime increased 
also, and greater severity on the part of the 
government became necessary. In order to 
check the audacity of evil-doers, and to intim- 
idate, by the fear of punishment, those whom 
resjDect for the laws could not restrain, Ancus 
built a prison in the midst of the city near 
the Forum. The salutary effect of this soon 
became quite evident. 

The success of Ancus as a general, did not 
cause him to forget his duty to the gods. On 
the contrary, he attributed to them the glory 
which he had won during his many cam- 
paigns. A prospect of some peace having 
occurred, he took occasion to testify his thanks 
by enlarging the temj^le of Ju23iter Feretrius, 
which had been dedicated to this divinity by 
Romulus, after his celebrated victory over the 
Cseninensians. Feretrius, was an appellation 
derived from feretTmn^ meaning the frame 
which supported the sj)oils consecrated to this 
god. Jupiter was the supreme deity among 
the Romans, and was called the "father of 
men and gods." Earthly monarchs were said 
to obtain their authority from him, and as his 
vicegerents, they sometimes received epithets 
derived from his name : such as Jove-sj)rung^ 



Angus Maecius. 159 

Jove-reared^ Jove-leloved^ etc. The most famous 
temple of Ju]3iter was at Oljmpia, in Elis, 
where, every fourth year, the Olympic games 
were celebrated in his honor. His great ora- 
cle was at Dodona. Jupiter was represented 
by artists, as the model of dignity, and 
majesty of mien ; his countenance grave but 
mild. He was seated on a throne, grasping his 
sceptre and thunder. The worship offered to 
Jupiter was the most solemn paid to the 
heathen deities, though greatly diversified 
among different nations. The victims most 
commonly offered to him, were a goat, a sheep, 
or a white bull with gilded horns ; sometimes 
the sacrifice consisted simply of flour, salt, or 
incense. Ancus, upon the occasion alluded 
to, spared nothing which could contribute to 
the glory of this deity, and secure his favor in 
behalf of Rome. 

The flourishing condition of the city and 
the numerous advantages which it offered to 
those who were ambitious either of obtain- 
ing wealth or honor, attracted many towards 
it from all the surrounding nations. Men of 
great riches and talents were thus on various 
occasions added to the number of the citizens. 

It happened during the reign of Ancus that 
an individual named Lucumo came with his 



160 Stories of Rome. 

family to settle at Rome. Lucumo liad been 
for some time a resident of Tarqninii in Etru- 
ria, where indeed tie was born, thongh being 
of Corinthian origin, he was regarded as an 
alien. His noble air, affable manners, and 
great riches procured for him a wife of the 
highest distinction. Her name was Tanaquil, 
and she was herself connected with the most 
eminent families of Etruria. Lucumo was 
ambitious of honor as well as of wealth, but 
his efforts to obtain promotion were all in 
vain ; the people of Tarqninii were proud of 
their old nobilitj, and unwilling to admit 
among their rulers a man who could not boast 
of a long line of ancestors, and who, more- 
over, was of foreign origin. All this was a 
subject of great mortification to Tanaquil, 
who could not bear that the rank of the man 
whom she had married should remain inferior 
to that of the family from which she had 
sprung. Filled with indignation, she began 
» to hate even her country, and resolved to for- 
sake it rather than endure the contempt mani- 
fested for her husband. 

Being a woman of great energy and of 
commanding spirit, she succeeded in direct- 
ing the fortunes of Lucumo. Her first step 
was to persuade him that Tarqninii was no 



Angus Makcius. 161 

longer a place where he could expect ad- 
vancement. Here, to be sure, he had made 
and invested all his wealth, and here too were 
all her dearest associations ; but what was the 
sacrifice of all these compared with the sacri- 
fice of pride and ambition. Lucumo was too 
eager of glory, to hesitate long at whatever 
might help him to gratify his desires. The 
mortification experienced at the hands of 
their common countrymen would, indeed, 
have rendered any j)lace preferable to Tar- 
quinii, but it was not sufficient simply to find 
another abode ; the choice must be made 
with reference to future preferment. This 
was not a very difficult matter. Tanaquil 
knew that Rome was best suited for her de- 
sign : was not King Tatius a Sabine, and had 
not x^uma been called to the throne from 
Cures ? and was not Ancus its present king, 
a Sabine also ? All these arguments she set 
forth to Lucumo, whose consent she had no 
great difficulty in obtaining. A removal to 
Rome having been agreed upon, they quietly 
made their arrangements to go. Lucumo col- 
lected together the greatest part of his wealth, 
loaded his chariots with such goods as could 
be conveniently transported to his destined 
home, and, with his wife an (3 a suitEib.l§ num- 

11. 



162 Stories of Eome. 

ber of servants, set forth privately upon his 
journey. 

The walls of Rome were, ere long, before 
them, and its gates, which were never closed 
to those who sought an asylum, were opened 
at their bidding. They happened to enter 
that part of the city which had been but re- 
cently inclosed, the Janiculum. At that 
period, this was nothing but an unimproved 
hill commanding a fine view of the city ad- 
joining it. Here and there were a few newly 
erected buildings, but, in general, it difibred 
little from the country surrounding the walls. 

In order to contemplate a while their future 
home and to determine as to the course most 
prudent for them to pursue, they caused their 
chariot to halt. While looking upon the scene 
before them an eagle rose slowly from the 
adjacent rocks and wheeled high in the air 
above. They were gazing with much aston- 
ishment upon this unexpected sight, when, 
before they could give utterance to their 
thoughts, the eagle descended majestically 
above the head of Lucumo and seizing his 
cap flew rapidly aloft. Soaring a while around 
them, she once more descended in slow and 
graceful circles, and uttering a piercing scream, 
placed the cap upon his head ; then, hovering 



Angus MAKcrus. 163 

over them for a moment, finally disappeared 
from their sight. 

As soon as they could recover from their 
surprise, Tanaquil threw her arms around her 
husband and hailed him as a favorite of the 
gods. " Behold, Lucumo," she exclaimed, " a 
messenger from the heavens, portending, too, 
the most magnificent fortune ; what else can 
be meant by exhibiting this omen on the most 
elevated part of the human body, by lifting 
up the ornament j)laced on the head of man, 
in order to replace it on the same part, by 
direction of the gods ! Courage, Lucumo I thou 
shalt be the noblest among the nobles of 
Rome !" Full of these thoughts and expecta- 
tions, they advanced into the city. Having 
purchased a house, Lucumo assumed the name 
of Lucius Tarquinius. A stranger, possessing 
such wealth and such personal attractions, 
could not remain long unnoticed in Rome ; 
nor did he lose any opportunity of gaining the 
attention and conciliating the friendship of 
the people. Every one was charmed by his 
courteous address, his hospitable entertain- 
ments and his generous acts. LCis name and 
reputation reached, at last, even the palace. 
The king became anxious to see him ; and so 
favorable was the impression that Lucumo 



164: Stoeies of Eome. 

made upon liim, tliat he declared his merits 
had not been half told. A mutual and strong 
attachment sprang up between them. Lucumo 
was consulted in all affairs both public and 
private, foreign and domestic. In everything 
he exhibited the utmost skill and promptness. 
He also distinguished himself in warlike ac- 
tions by his courage and his prudence ; and 
what was more wonderful than all, he dis- 
played, with so many fine qualities, such per- 
fect modesty that envy never dared to attack 
him, and that he was equally agreeable to the 
humble and the proud. The king became 
more and more attached to him, and, as the 
highest mark of his confidence, finally made 
him, by his will, guardian to his children. 

After a reign of twenty-four years, Ancus 
died, beloved by his family and lamented by 
his subjects, 'No king was ever more sin- 
cerely desirous of promoting the welfare of 
his country and the cause of religion and 
morality. As an evidence of the affection of 
his people, the title of '' good^^ was bestowed 
upon him, and at his death almost as much 
sorrow was manifested as upon the decease 
of Numa. He left many enduring monu- 
ments of his wisdom and prudence, and the 
greatness to which Rome finally arrived was 
in no small degree owing to his noble efforts, 



Character of Tarquinius Priscus — His Schemes for the 
Crown successful — His Plaas for its Security — His Victories 
— The Roman Circus — Defeat of the Tyrrhenians and Sabines 
— Submission of the Latins — The Walls of Rome — Story of 
the Augur Navius — War with the Tp-rhenians and Sabines — 
Stratagem of Tarquinius — Combination against Rome — Final 
Success of Tarquinius; and Subjection of the Tyrrhenian 
Cities — ^The Sabines defeated by Stratagem — Military Rep- 
utation of Tarquinius — Comparative Peace — Tarquinius 
devotes himself to improving and adorning the City — The 
Cloacce or Sewers — The Paved Ways — The Temple of Ju- 
piter — Story of Servius TuUius — Conspiracy of the Sons of 
Ancus Marcius — Tragical Death of Tarquinius — Stratagem 
of TanaquiL 




The Omen granied to Tarquinius Pi-iscus. p. 167. 



TAPtQUINIUS PRISCUS. 

FROM 614 TO 5Y6 B.C. 



V. 



Takquinius Pkiscus was none other than 
the Lucumo, whose story was related in the 
preceding chapter, and who, it will be re- 
membered, assumed the name of Tarquinius 
upon his arrival at Rome. We have already 
seen, that by his wealth, amiability, and cour- 
age, he won, not only a high place in the es- 
timation of his fellow-citizens, but also the 
most distinguished honors from the king. It 
will also be remembered that, upon the king's 
death, Tarquinius was intrusted with the 
guardianship of the royal children, an office 
of no little responsibility, and an evidence 
too, of the unbounded confidence reposed in 
him by his sovereign. During all his resi- 
dence at Rome, he had never yet given the 
least cause for suspicion or fear ; as a citizen 
he had ever acted a noble part ; as a coun- 



170 Stoeies of Home. 

seller, he had displayed wisdom and prudence; 
as a soldier he had shown fidelity to his king, 
and love for the country of his adoption. In 
all this, howeyer, Tarquinius was actuated 
by an ambition, which he had the skill to 
conceal, even from those with whom he was 
daily associated. Thus, we see that ambition 
may put on the mask of virtue, in order to 
accomplish its ends, and appear in the eyes 
of men, modest, equitable, disinterested, and 
beneficent. We shall see that this mask was 
not laid aside by Tarquinius, and that, for 
this reason, the fortunes of Rome continued 
unimpaired, though deceit in the end re- 
ceived the punishment which it seldom escapes. 
The sons of the late king were still young, 
the eldest being only fourteen years of age. 
Tarquinius, therefore, did not look upon them 
as any great obstacle to his ambition, pro- 
vided that the election of a king was not de- 
ferred for too long a time. This was a matter, 
therefore, which it behooved him to hasten ; 
nor did he find his tact and influence were 
inadequate to its accomplishment. Though 
the Senate were well enough pleased Avith 
the possession of sovereign power, the people 
did not like to remain long without a head, 
and a little management procured a decree, 



Taequinius Pkiscus. 171 

fixing a day for tlie election. That the sons 
of Ancus might not be present on this occa- 
sion, Tarquiniiis fixed upon the same day for 
a great hunting excursion, in which he con- 
trived to make the royal youths take part. 
Thus freeing himself from all constraint, he 
appeared before the assembly of the people, 
and openly asked them to place the crown 
upon his head. This was, certainly, a bold 
proceeding, but the easy and graceful man- 
ner in which it was done, was rather pleasing 
than otherwise, to those who witnessed it. 
The people were in love with Tarquinius ; and 
when he rose up to address them, he was 
greeted with loud and long aj)plause. " Ro- 
mans," said he, "the glorious annals of your 
city will testify, that I am not without example, 
in asking you to place me on the throne of 
Rome. Have not two foreigners already sat 
upon it ? Did not Tatius, your bitterest ene- 
my, become your king ? Was not N^uma an 
inhabitant of the city of Cures ? From the 
moment that I became master of myself, and 
was able to disj)Ose of my own destiny, I re- 
paired to Rome with my wife and all my 
wealth. The period of life, which men love 
to spend amid their kindred and in their na- 
tive land, I have passed among you. It has 



1Y2 Stories of Rome. 

been my happiness, in peace as well as in 
war, to be formed under the discipline of 
Ancus Marcins, who, having been pleased to 
become my master, gave me instructions in 
the laws and customs of this great and pros- 
perous nation. To these laws and customs, 
no one has been more submissive than myself ; 
to our departed king, no one was more re- 
spectful; and, without boasting I may add, 
that my life has evinced a desire to promote 
the prosperity and happiness of Rome." 

The truth of all this was readily admitted, 
and with common consent, the people elected 
him their king. 

As soon as Tarquinius was seated upon his 
throne, he took measures to streugthen his 
position among the lower classes of the peo- 
ple. To this end he chose a hundred men 
from among the Plebeians, and elevated them 
to the rank of Patricians and Senators. They 
were called Senators of the second order to 
distinguish them from those originally created, 
who w^ere called Senators of the first order. 
Thus, the Senate which formerly consisted of 
two hundred members, was, by this new 
creation, composed of three hundred mem- 
bers ; and so continued during several cen- 
turies. 



Takqtjinius Peiscus. 173 

That he might not be considered negligent 
of religious matters, he increased the number 
of vestal virgins instituted by ITuma, by the 
addition of two ; he prescribed, also, the pun- 
ishment to be inflicted on those vestals who 
were guilty of violation of their vows ; and, as 
we shall hereafter see, testified in different 
ways, his regard for religion. 

The daily growth and prosperity of Rome 
were causes of continual jealousy to the neigh- 
boring nations. The achievements of each 
successive king appearing more glorious than 
those of his predecessors, Rome seemed des- 
tined to be the mistress of the world. Cheer- 
ful submission on the part of those whose 
glory was to be thus eclipsed, could not be 
expected ; and it is not strange that the reign 
of Tarquinius should be disturbed by numer- 
ous wars. Those nations who were most res- 
olute in throwing obstacles before him, were 
the Latins, the Etrurians, and the Sabines. 
The most trifling pretext was sufficient to 
make them forget treaties and oaths which 
necessity had extorted from them, and al- 
though ever unsuccessful in war, they were 
always ready to engage, hoping that victory 
might, at last, be their reward. 

Tarquinius had not been long upon the 



174 Stoeies of Rome. 

throne, before tlie Latins began to make in- 
cursions upon the territory of Rome. The 
transgressors were chiefly from the city of 
AjDpiolge. Tarquinius determined to chastise 
them in a manner which should be a warning 
to others. He accordingly set forth at the 
head of a numerous army and laid waste the 
most fruitful part of their -country. Arriving 
near Appiolse he besieged it, and caused his 
army to assault the walls. ' The besieged not 
being able to hold out very long against such 
a powerful force, were easily subdued. A 
great many of the citizens were slain ; those 
who delivered up their arms were sold togeth- 
er with the booty ; their wives and children 
were carried away into slavery, and the city 
was plundered and burned. The victory 
being complete, the king returned with his 
army to Rome. 

In honor of this achievement, Tarquinius 
built an immense circus, between the Palatine 
and Aventine hills, to be used for horse-races 
and the performance of various other games. 
This circus was one mile in circumference and 
capable of containing 150,000 persons. In the 
edifices which had until then been used for 
similar purposes, it was customary for the 
spectators to stand upon scaffolds supported 



Takquinius Pkiscus. 175 

bj poles. Better arrangements were made in 
this magnificent building : the interior was 
divided into thirty parts which he assigned to 
the thirty different curies, so that every spec- 
tator knew the place that belonged to him. 
Around the two greater sides and one of the 
lesser was a canal ten feet deep, and as many 
broad ; this canal served to sup|)ly it with 
water for naval exhibitions. Knights, Sena- 
tors, and Plebeians, being permitted to erect 
seats and adorn them agreeably to their own 
taste and wishes, this circus became ere long 
one of the most magnificent works in Rome. 

But Tarquinius had not much time to rest. 
His jealous neighbors were watching him on 
every side, determined, if possible, to accom- 
plish the downfall of Rome. They might 
perhaps have succeeded, had they united their 
forces and proceeded with more prudence ; 
but this, they failed to do. First the Crustu- 
minians broke the treaty into which they had 
solemnly entered. Tarquinius punished them 
severely, banished the principal revolters and 
placed their city in charge of a Roman gar- 
rison. The ISTomentani conducted in a similar 
manner and shared the same fate. Then the 
inhabitants of Collatia resolved to try the for- 
tunes of war, but were speedily overcome and 



176 Stoeies of Eome. 

despoiled. Oorniculura also fell before the 
conquering Romans ; and the cities of the 
Latins seemed destined to become one by one 
dependents of Tarquinius. Alarmed at such 
a prospect, they finally contrived a union of 
their strength, and sent ambassadors to the 
Tyrrhenians, and the Sabines, beseeching 
them to lend their aid against Rome. The 
Sabines consented, promising that as soon as 
the Latins should fall upon the Roman terri- 
tories, they would also plunder the lands ad- 
joining them. The Tyrrhenians, too, engaged 
to send them such succors as they should 
want. 

Encouraged by these hopes, the Latins 
raised a large army of their own, and, in- 
creasing it with the auxiliary troops of the 
Tyrrhenians, made an irruption into the Ro- 
man territories. Agreeably to their prom- 
ise, the Sabines also began, at the same 
time, to plunder the lands adjoining them. 
Thus beset on both hands, it became a matter 
of some difficulty for Tarquinius to determine 
what to do. He resolved, however, at all 
hazards, to keep his army together, and pro- 
ceeded accordingly, first, against the Latins, 
who, beholding the strength of his forces, 
made a safe retreat, leaving him in posses- 



Taequinius Priscus. 177 

sion of considerable spoils. Some days after, 
the Latins receiving a large reinforcement, 
marched boldly against Tarquiniiis and at- 
tacked him with so much vigor that victory 
seemed, for a season, to be upon their side. 
The Roman troops were sorely distressed and 
broken ; but Tarquinius, resolving to conquer 
or perish, selected a chosen band of horse to- 
gether with his most trusty foot soldiers, and 
suddenly charging upon the Tyrrhenians threw 
them into the utmost consternation. The 
main body of the Roman army recovering, in 
the meantime, from their former fear, ad- 
vanced vigorously upon the enemy, and so 
great a slaughter followed that the Tyrrhe- 
nians were completely routed. The Latins, 
perceiving the defeat of their allies, fled to 
their camp, where, being hotly pursued by 
the Roman cavalry, they were cut to pieces, 
trampled under foot, or driven, without 
mercy, to perish in their trenches. Tar- 
quinius, making himself master of many 
prisoners and a great booty, gave the plun- 
der of the camp to the soldiers. 

Having thus completely beaten the armies 
of the Latins, he proceeded to their different 
cities, with a determination to reduce them to 
his dominion. This was no very difficult task ; 

12 



1Y8 Stoeies of Rome. 

for no sooner did they hear of his approach, 
than they sent ambassadors to beseech him to 
put an end to the war upon any terms which 
he might deem proper. Submission being 
all that he required, he treated them with 
great clemency and moderation. None were 
put to death, or banished, or fined, but all 
were permitted to enjoy their lands and gov- 
ern themselves according to the laws of their 
country. He ordered them, however, to de- 
liver up to the Romans the deserters and cap- 
tives, without ransom ; to restore the slaves 
taken in their incursions ; to repay the money 
forced from the Roman husbandmen, and to 
repair all the damages which they had occa- 
sioned. These conditions being performed, 
the Latins were regarded as friends and al- 
lies, and Tarquinius returned triumphantly to 
Rome. 

Obtaining a little respite from war, he de- 
termined to provide for the greater safety of 
the city, by surrounding it with a more sub- 
stantial wall. He had observed during his 
recent expeditions that the principal defect in 
his army was a want of cavalry ; and to reme- 
dy this, he resolved to improve the present 
opportunity, by adding other centuries to the 
Ramnenses, Titienses and Luceres instituted 



Taequinius Pkiscts. 179 

by Komiilus, and to have them distinguished 
by his own name. Having made known his in- 
tentions, he found his project bitterly opposed 
by a very celebrated augur named I^avius, 
who predicted that serious calamities would 
befall Rome if any of the institutions of Rom- 
ulus were altered. 

The king was very angry at this opposition, 
but it would not do for him to disregard the 
warnings of the augur, for the people gave 
the utmost credit to his words, and firmly be- 
lieved him to be a favored interpreter of the 
gods ; of this, he had given the most indis- 
putable evidence from his childhood, and it 
became necessary for the king either to give 
heed to his warnings or to prove him^o be a 
false prophet. Believing that the latter would 
be no very difficult enterprise, he summoned 
IsTavius to the tribunal, many people being 
present in the I'orum ; and having acquainted 
those about him in what manner he expected 
to prove the augur a false prophet, he received 
him, upon his appearance, with marks of the 
greatest civility, and said : " This is the time, 
[N'avius, for you to show the certainty of your 
prophetic art ; for I have in my thoughts a 
great undertaking, and would like to know 
whether it be practical or not ; go, therefore, 



180 Stories of Rome. 

consult your auspices, and return speedily 
with your rej)ort ; I shall remain here in ex- 
pectation of you." ^N^ayius, without the least 
hesitation, did as he was ordered, and, return- 
ing soon after, assured the king that the aus- 
pices were favorable, and that his undertaking 
was practicable. Tarquinius had no sooner 
heard this answer, than he began to laugh 
most merrily, and, at the same time, taking 
out a razor and a hone from under his robe, 
said to him: "You are now convicted, Na- 
vius, of imposing on us, and of making use of 
the name of the gods to support an apparent 
falsehood, since you dare affirm that even im- 
possible things are practicable ; I wanted to 
know, by the rules of your art, whether, if I 
strike the hone with this razor, I shall cut it 
asunder ?" The mere idea of such a feat was 
so preposterous, that all those who were listen- 
ing, burst out into loud laughter. But 'Na- 
vius, undisturbed by their raillery, looked 
boldly at the king, and, with a firm voice re- 
plied : " Strike the hone confidently, as you 
proposed, Tarquinius, for it will be cut asun- 
der ; if not, I am ready to submit to any pun- 
ishment." The king, smiling, though surprised 
at the confidence of the augur, held out the 
hone in the palm of his hand, and struck the 



Tarquinius Priscus. 181 

razor against it ; the edge of the razor, making 
its way quite through the hone, cut not only 
the hone asunder, but the hand also that 
held it. 

A murmur of surprise followed this incred- 
ible performance ; and Tarquinius, ashamed 
of having doubted the infallibility of the au- 
gur, endeavored to repair his conduct, in the 
first place, by abandoning his design of add- 
ing to the number of the centuries. Think- 
ing, however, that this was not enough to re- 
gain the good-will of I^avius, and desirous of 
the favor of one so acceptable to the gods, he 
began at once to overwhelm him with kind- 
ness. He even caused a brazen statue of him 
to be erected in the Forum, in order that his 
memory might be handed down to posterity. 
This statue continued to stand for several cen- 
turies. It was somewhat less than a middle- 
sized man, and had a veil over its head. At 
a small distance from the statue the hone and 
the razor were both buried, and an altar raised 
above tbem. 

The greatest respect was shown for auguries 
from the time of this event, and the office of 
augur rose so high, that no business, either of 
peace or war, was undertaken without consult- 
ing the birds ; meetings of the people, em- 



182 Stokies of Eome. 

bodying of armies, tlie most important con- 
cerns of the State, were postponed when the 
birds did not allow them. 

The wars which. Tarquinius apprehended 
demanded an addition to his cavalry. Al- 
though he refrained from increasing the 
number of the centuries, yet he doubled the 
number of men in each ; so that there were 
eighteen hundred in the three. His army 
being now in excellent condition and consid- 
erably augmented, he led them forth against 
the Sabines, who had, as he believed, long 
merited some chastisement at his hands. The 
Sabines, being apprized of his determination, 
made active prejDarations to oppose him, and 
strengthening themselves with a sufficient 
number of Tvrrhenian auxiliaries, thev en- 
camped near Fidense, at the confluence of the 
rivers Anio and Tiber. To their sorrow, as 
we shall see, they formed two camps, one upon 
each side of the united streams, laying a 
bridge of boats and rafts which formed a 
quick mode of communication between them. 
Tarquinius learning the manner in which they 
had located themselves marched his army to 
a spot a little higher up the stream, and j^itch- 
ed and fortified his camjD upon a hill hard by. 
A fierce encounter seemed inevitable and was 



Tarquinius Peiscus. 183 

doubtless desired on both sides, but Tarquin- 
ius perceiving that he might, by stratagem, 
defeat the enemy, and, at the same time, spare 
the lives of his soldiers, acted accordingly. 

Havina: collected a laro^e number of small 
boats and rafts, he filled them with dry wood, 
pitch and various combustible materials. .Di- 
viding his army, he sent part of them down 
one side of the river and part down the other, 
ordering them to halt as secretly as possible 
within a convenient distance of the enemy. 
Everything being arranged, he caused the 
combustible matter to be set on fire, at the 
same time, faciliating its progress in the di- 
rection of the enemy's quarters. The tide 
and wind carried it along with great rapidity ; 
and, by the time it had reached the bridge 
of boats which united the Sabines camp, the 
whole river was a sheet of fire. Struck with 
terror the enemy rushed madly to save their 
boats. All was confusion and panic ; the 
stream was covered with human beings, who, 
a few moments before active in protecting 
their property, were now vainly endeavoring 
to save themselves both from the water and 
the fire. While this dreadful tragedy was 
going forward upon the river, one, scarcely 
less dreadful, was exhibited within the divided 



184: Stoeies of Rome. 

camp. The Romans, watching a favorable 
opportunity, rushed from their hiding-places, 
and, sword in hand, attacked with great fury, 
the unsusj)ecting Sabines. Resistance seemed 
almost useless, and in a short time Tarquinius 
was master of both camps. The Roman sol- 
diers were then permitted to divide whatever 
booty they could find, and such of the Sabines 
and Tyrrhenians as survived were carried 
prisoners to Rome. 

So terrible a defeat was sufiicient to con- 
vince the Sabines that there was little to be 
gained by contending against such powerful 
and cunning foes. The flower of their army 
was now nearly destroyed ; they were over- 
whelmed with despair, and, sending ambassa- 
dors to Tarquinius, besought him to make 
peace with them on any terms. The offers 
which they made were accej)ted, and a truce 
and league for six years were concluded. 

The Tyrrhenians, allies of the Sabines, were 
not, however, satisfied that this stratagem of 
the Romans was conclusive evidence of supe- 
riority. It is true that it had deprived them 
of many of their most valuable troops, still 
they were not such great sufferers as the Sa- 
bines, and, instead of being dispirited, they 
were rather animated thereby to more vigor- 



Tarquinius Peiscus. 185 

OTIS efforts. Like the Latins, they thought 
that fortune would, sooner or later, strike a 
blow in their favor. Accordingly, deputies 
were a]3pointed from their different cities 
for the purpose of devising the most effectual 
means for overcoming their common enemy. 
They agreed, finally, that all the Tyrrhenian 
cities should make war upon the Romans 
with united forces ; and that any city refus- 
ing to take a share in the war, should have 
no part in their confederacy. The greatest 
exertions being now made, a formidable army 
was soon ready to be despatched against 
Rome. Confidently crossing the Tiber they 
marched towards Fidense, a town then in the 
hands of the Romans. Attacking it with 
great vigor, and seconded in their efforts by 
disaffected persons within it, they soon obtain- 
ed possession, and, thence making incursions 
into the Roman territory, committed serious 
depredations. 

The injury done was very great, but the 
Romans were obliged to submit to it for some 
time. Finally, however, Tarquinius took the 
field. Dividing his army into two parts, 
he put himself at the head of the Roman 
troops and led them against the Tyrrhenian 
cities. The other part, consisting of tlie allies 



186 Stories of Rome. 

of E-ome, were put under the command ol 
Egerius, a relation of Tarquinius, and led by 
him against the enemy at Fidenge. Egerius 
was not so skilful a general as Tarquinius, 
and he was, moreover, too confident of suc- 
cess. It seemed to him that the presence 
alone of the troops of Home was sufficient to 
strike terror and insure an easy victory. He 
behaved therefore with very great imprud- 
ence, encamping his army on a spot entirely 
unadapted either for attack or defence. The 
Tyrrhenians took immediate advantage of this, 
and, sending privately for fresh aid, they sal- 
lied forth upon their foes, took possession of 
their camp and put Egerius and his troops to 
flight. 

The news of this disaster made no change 
in the movements of Tarquinius. He went 
on steadily and vindictively from one city to 
another of Tyrrhenia, putting to the sword all 
who opposed him, and plundering wherever 
he could find anything of the slightest value. 
His course w^as everywhere marked with de- 
struction, and his soldiers, enriched with a 
great booty and followed by many prisoners, 
returned to Kome. But it was not his inten- 
tion to rest here. His army had diminished 
somewhat during this campaign, and his allies 



Takqtinius Priscits. 187 

had been driven from the field by the gar- 
rison at Fidense. He was determined that 
nothing short of the entire destruction of the 
Tyrrhenian power should atone for this. Has- 
tening, therefore, his preparations, he march- 
ed resolutely to Fidense ; spurning the gar- 
rison which came out to meet him, he bat- 
tered down the walls of the city, and, making 
prisoners of all its inhabitants, caused in- 
quiries to be made as to those who had been 
guilty of placing it into the hands of the 
Tyrrhenians. Dreadful was the punishment 
which he inflicted upon those whom he was 
able to discover: some were whipped pub- 
licly through the streets ; some were behead- 
ed ; some were condemned to perpetual ban- 
ishment, and the fortunes of all were distrib- 
uted by lot to those Romans who were left to 
inhabit and garrison the city. 

"Without losing any time, Tarquinius march- 
ed on towards the city of Eretum, in the 
neighborhood of which the Tyrrhenians had 
encamped in considerable force. Here they 
had assembled in hopes of receiving succor 
from the Sabines, the truce between whom 
and the Romans had now expired. But their 
hope was a vain one. Tarquinius performed 
his movements with so much rapidity, that. 



188 Stories of Eome. 

with such trooj)S as they had, together with a 
few neighboring volunteers, they were obliged 
to give him battle. The Tyrrhenians fought 
with perfect desperation, and for a long time 
the result of the battle seemed very doubtful. 
Tarquinius was, however, finally successful. 
The Tyrrhenians, routed and beaten on every 
side, fled either to the fastnesses of the moun- 
tains or gave themselves up to their conquer- 
ors. It was, perhaps, one of the most bril- 
liant of all the achievements of Tarquinius, 
and the Senate and the people, in token of 
their appreciation of his military skill, de- 
creed the honors of a triumph to him. 

The principal men of the Tyrrhenians, feel- 
ing that it was in vain to resist the Roman 
power, and willing to have peace on almost 
any terms, assembled together, and selecting 
the oldest and most dignified men from their 
difierent cities, sent them to Tarquinius, with 
full powers to settle its conditions. Coming 
to the king, and making known to him their 
errand, while they made use of every argu- 
ment to persuade him to clemency and mod- 
eration, he asked them whether they had come 
to make peace upon certain conditions, or 
whether they acknowledged themselves to be 
overcome, and were ready to deliver up their 



Takquinius Peiscus. 189 

cities to him. To which they replied, that they 
not only delivered up their cities to him, but 
should also be satisfied with a peace upon any 
terms. " Hear then," replied Tarquinius, 
" upon what conditions I shall put an end to 
the war, and what favors I propose to confer 
on you ; I desire neither to put any of the 
Tyrrhenians to death, to banish any of them, 
nor punish any with the loss of their posses- 
sions ; I impose no garrisons, nor tributes, 
upon any of your cities, but allow each of 
them to enjoy their own laws, and their an- 
cient forms of government. But in return for 
all these favors, I think I have a right to ex- 
pect one thing from you, that is, the sover- 
eignty of your cities, which I shall obtain 
even against your will, as long as I am more 
powerful in arms ; however, I had rather en- 
joy it with your consent, than without it. In- 
form your cities of this ; and I promise to 
grant you a suspension of arms, till your re- 
turn." 

Charged with this answer, the Tyrrhenian 
ambassadors returned to their respective cities ; 
and, a few days afterwards, they again pre- 
sented themselves before Tarquinius, bearing 
all the ensigns of sovereignty, with which 
they were wont to decorate their own kings. 



190 Stoeies of Eome. 

One carried in his hands a crown of gold ; 
another had a sceptre, on the head of which, 
was an eagle ; a third held a 23urple vest, 
wrought with gold ; a fourth had a purple em- 
broidered robe ; while others moved slowly 
under the weight of a heavy ivory throne. 
They brought, also, according to some histori- 
ans, twelve axes, one from each of their cities ; 
for it was the Tyrrhenian custom, for the king 
of each city to be preceded by a lictor bearing , 
an axe and a bundle of rods ; and when the 
twelve cities united together in any military 
expedition, it was customary for the twelve 
axes to be delivered to the persons placed in 
command. This custom is said to have been 
instituted by Komulus, when he entered upon 
the government of Rome ; it is possible, how- 
ever, that he may have borrowed it from the 
Tyrrhenians. 

Tarquinius received the emblems of roy- 
alty, as one by one they were placed before 
him ; but instead of devoting them at once to 
his use, he caused them to be placed in the 
hands of the Senate, expressing at the same 
time, his desire to know what they would de- 
termine in regard to them. They being unan- 
imous in their opinion, he accepted them ; 
and, from that time, until his death, he con- 



Tarquinius Pmscrs. 191 

tinned to wear a crown of gold, and a purple 
embroidered robe, and sat on a throne of 
ivory, with a sceptre of the same in his hand ; 
twelve lictors bearing the axes and rods, also 
attended him when discharging the duties of 
his kingly office, or when making his appear- 
ance abroad. 

Rome was now fast rising in power and 
opulence. The numerous surrounding nations 
had, one by one, yielded submission to its 
arms, till there was now scarcely one left to 
dispute dominion with it. A single nation, 
however, yet remained : a nation to which it 
owed much of its glory, and one, too, which 
it had often humbled : the Sabines. Of this 
people Tarquinius was, with reason, jealous, 
for they occupied a large and fertile country 
adjoining that of Rome, and they were also 
supplied with many and very warlike men. 
To find some pretext for war was no very dif- 
ficult matter. In fact, both nations were 
again willing to test their strength upon the 
battle-field ; and when Tarquinius complained 
against the Sabines, and sought satisfaction 
from them, for having aided and abetted the 
Tyrrhenians in their recent war, they replied 
in a manner calculated only to arouse his an- 
ger and stimulate him to make a declaration 



192 Stories of Kome. 

of war. Nor were they backward in accept- 
ing his declaration, for, no sooner was it made, 
than they collected a large army, and boldly 
invaded the territories of Kome, plundering 
its husbandmen and laying waste everything 
in their way. Tarquinius immediately se- 
lected a band of Homan yonths, and led them 
forth to meet the invaders. Coming unex- 
pectedly upon them, they were taken at great 
disadvantage, because of the manner in which 
they were dispersed while committing their 
depredations. Multitudes of them were de- 
stroyed, and the plunder which they had taken 
was recaptured. 

Tarquinius now pitched his camp near 
theirs. In the meantime, his troops were 
greatly augmented, though he carefully 
caused his reinforcements to be concealed, at 
a convenient distance, not far from his camp. 
The Sabines, j)erceiving their own army, to be 
equal in numbers to that of the Romans, lost 
no time in bringing about a general engage- 
ment ; and fought with great courage so long 
as they believed that the enemy were all in 
sight. At an appointed signal, the concealed 
troops of Tarquinius marched from their hid- 
ing-places, and suddenly attacked them in 
the rear. The Sabines became alarmed, sup- 



Takquinius Priscus. 193 

posing themselves to be circumvented by 
some stratagem of the enemy. Endeavoring 
to save themselves, they took to flight, some 
in one direction and some in another. A ter- 
rible slaughter ensued. Some succeeded in 
making their escape, but a large number fell 
into the hands of the Romans. 

Still the Sabines were unconquered. An- 
other powerful army was raised ; and battle 
after battle was fought with the Romans, suc- 
cess being sometimes on one side and some- 
times on the other. At last Tarquinius grew 
impatient, and determined to strike a vigor- 
ous and decided blow for victory. With this 
view he made considerable augmentations to 
his army by adding to it the troops of his 
allies, the Latins and the Tyrrhenians. Bring- 
ing these upon the field, he divided them into 
three bodies, and so arranged them as to pro- 
duce the greatest effect upon the enemy. 
Servius Tullius, of whom we shall hereafter 
have much to say, was one of the leaders 
upon this occasion. The battle was fierce and 
long, continuing during the greater portion 
of the day ; but it was finally decided in favor 
of the Romans and their allies, who, becom- 
ing masters of the open country, laid it waste 
with fire and sword, carrying home an im- 
13 



194 Stoeies of Rome. 

mense booty, together with numerous prison 
ers. ITot long after this, deputies came to 
Tarquinius from the different cities of the Sa- 
bines, beseeching him to make peace upon 
any reasonable terms. Willing to receive 
this mark of submission, he restored their cap- 
tives without ransom, and concluded a league 
of friendship with them upon conditions sim- 
ilar to those upon which he had formerly 
granted peace to the Tyrrhenians. 

Rome was now restored to comparative 
repose ; the military reputation of Tarquinius 
being so high that his enemies dared no longer 
to encounter him upon the battle-field. Op- 
portunities were again afforded him to pur- 
sue various enterprises of a peaceful charac- 
ter ; enterprises which he had at different 
times begun, and which were repeatedly in- 
terrupted by the wars that he was obliged to 
carry on with his jealous neighbors. Besides 
rebuildins^ the walls of Rome, which was done 
in a substantial manner, of beautiful large 
stone, he also constructed many, other works 
that have always been the wonder and glory 
of the city. Among these, not the least re- 
markable, were the sewers, used for collecting 
the foul water from the streets and conveying 
it to the Tiber. These sewers, or Cloacce^ as 



Takquinitts Pkiscus. 195 

they were called, were constructed under 
almost all the streets of Rome, and nearly 
every house was furnished with pipes commu- 
nicating with them. The largest, known as 
the Cloaca maxima^ and of which portions 
may now be seen, was formed by three arches 
of hewn stone, one within the other, the inner- 
most of which is about fourteen feet in diam- 
eter. Strabo and Pliny, speaking of this 
sewer, say that it was large enough to permit 
the passage of a cart loaded with hay ; and 
Dion Cassius tells us that Agrippa, when he 
cleansed them, passed through them in a boat. 
We may form some idea of their dimensions 
from the fact that on one occasion, having 
been long neglected, they became impassable 
for the water, and required an expense of 
nearly a million of dollars, before they were 
again rendered serviceable. 

The celebrated j)aved ways or roads of 
Rome were also introduced by Tarquinius. 
It is true that during his time they were not ex- 
tended beyond the city, because there was very 
little friendly intercourse with the surround- 
ing nations. About four hundred years after 
the foundation of Rome, these roads extended 
to the most distant provinces constituting the 
most useful and the most durable of her works. 



196 Stoeies of Rome. 

The excellence of the principles upon which 
thej were constructed is shown by their ex- 
traordinary durability, many specimens of 
them being yet found in the neighborhood 
of Rome, still in a state of good preservation 
notwithstanding they have been used, with- 
out being repaired, for more than a thousand 
years. 

Tarquinius also undertook to build a temple 
to Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, in accordance 
with a vow which had made to the gods 
durino; his last battle with the Sabines. The 
hill upon which he determined to erect this 
edifice was high, craggy, difficult of access, 
offering, in fact, no suitable location for it. 
At great expense, however, he caused it to 
be levelled, and sufficiently well adapted to 
receive the temple ; but it was a work des- 
tined to occupy many years, and neither Tar- 
quinius nor his immediate successor lived to 
see it completed. The location of this temple 
was not precisely the choice of Tarquinius, 
but rather of the birds, who, upon such occa- 
sions, were called upon to interpret the will 
of the gods. Being consulted by the augurs, 
these harmless creatures were said to have 
indicated the Tarpeian, afterwards called the 
Capitoline hill, as the proper place. When 



, Tarquinius Priscijs. 197 

again consulted as to the precise spot for its 
location, thej even decided this, though not 
without considerable difficulty, for there were 
upon the hill numerous altars, both of the 
gods and genii, so close to one another, that a 
space sufficiently large could not be found 
without interfering with some of them. The 
augurs, however, made application to the 
gods and genii themselves for consent to re- 
move these altars. Consent was readily ob- 
tained from all except Juventus and Termi- 
nus, who could not be prevailed upon to 
abandon their places ; no other course there- 
fore was left, but to include these altars 
within the circuit of the temple. The ill suc- 
cess of the augurs was, nevertheless, a source 
of satisfaction to them, for they concluded 
that this obstinacy on the part of Juventus 
and Terminus was an indication that no lapse 
of time would ever remove the boundaries of 
the Roman empire, or impair its vigor. 

A wonderful occurrence is said to have 
taken place in the palace of Tarquinius which, 
as it is more or less connected with the clos- 
ing scene of his life, may with propriety be 
here related. Servius Tullius, a lad whom 
the king had chosen to bring up in his house, 
had upon a certain occasion fallen asleep in 



198 Stoeies of E-ome. 

his chamber. Some servant of the household 
happening to pass near where he lay, discov- 
ered his head to be apparently in a blaze with 
fire. Astonished at so extraordinary a cir- 
cumstance, the servant ran about the house, 
alarming all he met, even the king and 
queen. Every one, of course, hastened to 
behold the miracle, some carrying water in 
their hands to extinguish the flames. The 
queen, however, reached the spot in season to 
prevent this rude disturbance of the child's 
slumbers, and, quieting the uproar, she sent 
every one from the chamber, remaining alone 
with the king. In a short time the lad 
awoke, when the flame immediately disap- 
peared. Tanaquil, turning to the king, said, 
" Do you see this boy whom we educate in 
such an humble style ? Be assured that he 
will hereafter prove a light to dispel the 
gloom which will lie heavy on our affairs, 
and will be the support of our palace in dis- 
tress. Let us, therefore, with every degree 
of attention which we can bestow, nourish 
this plant, which is hereafter to become the 
greatest ornament to our family and our 
State." Tarquinius being accustomed to pay 
the highest respect to the words of Tanaquil, 
at once united with her in treating the boy as 



Takquinitjs Priscus. 199 

if he were their own child, causing him also 
to receive an education which should qualify 
him for the highest rank in life. As he grew 
older, it became evident that he would fulfil 
the high predictions of the queen. His cour- 
age and virtuous conduct won so much upon 
the heart of the king as to procure the hand 
of one of his daughters in marriage. This is 
the same Servius Tullius, whose name has 
been heretofore mentioned in connection with 
some of the battles of Tarquinius. He be- 
came, in fact, very active in the service of the 
king, who placed the utmost confidence in his 
wisdom and skill. 

Tarquinius had now reigned thirty-eight 
years, and his advanced age was rendering 
him, day by day, less capable of managing the 
affairs of government. Finding that Servius 
enjoyed the esteem of the Senate as well as of 
the people, he committed almost everything to 
his care. This was a source of great vexation 
to the two sons of the former king, Ancus 
Marcius, who had always regarded Tarquinius 
as an usurper of their rights. Upon several 
occasions, they had made ineffectual attempts 
to remove him, and now, as they became well 
convinced that he would not resign the scep- 
tre in their favor, they resolved to be, at least. 



200 Stories of Rome. 

revenged of the injury which he had done to 
them. 

It seems that ITavius, the celebrated augur, 
who at different times opposed the king's will, 
was suddenly missing, no one being able to 
account, in the least, for his disappearance. 
Various stories were in circulation, and strong 
suspicions existed, that he had fallen a prey 
to the envy of some rival, or to the treachery 
of an enemy. The people, who almost adored 
him for his power and skill, were very uneasy 
and ready to believe every report and every 
suspicion concerning his end. The sons of 
Ancus Marcius, observing this disposition of 
the multitude, determined to turn it to their 
own advantage, and to the injury of the king. 
Accordingly they fixed the imputation of his 
death ujoon Tarquinius, with no other argu- 
ment or proof to support it, than these two 
probable circumstances : first, that the king 
being desirous of introducing some change in 
the government, had been induced to make 
way with a person who, upon former occa- 
sions, had not been afraid to oppose his inno- 
vations : second, that, if the king were inno- 
cent of the crime, he would manifest more 
concern in regard to the event, but his silence 



Taequinius Pkiscus. 201 

and indisposition to cause an investigation, 
were certain evidences against him. 

In this manner, the sons of Ancus created 
a strong faction, both of the Patricians and 
the Plebeians, among whom they did not 
cease to pour ont their accusations against 
the king, exhorting them not to suffer a guilty 
person to approach the altars, and defile the 
royal dignity, especially since he was not a 
Roman, but a foreigner whom no country 
would own. The minds of many of the peo- 
ple were highly inflamed, and, when Tarquin- 
ius came into the Forum, some endeavored 
to drive him out, as an impure person. A 
majority was, however, still upon his side, 
and he was permitted to defend himself, and 
refute the accusation of his calumniators. 
Doing this with the utmost success, and being 
in the enjoyment of great popularity among 
his subjects, their feelings were aroused in 
his behalf, and the sons of Ancus, though for 
a while successful, became hated in their turn, 
and were finally driven from the Forum with 
great ignominy. 

They determined, however, not to be balked 
in their revenge. By proper management, 
they succeeded in being restored to the favor 
of the king, who, for their father's sake, was 



203 Stoeies of Rome. 

willing to overlook their offences, and accept 
the repentance which they feigned to have. 
Every day, however, they watched for an op- 
portunity to accomplish their designs, and, 
finally achieved their purpose in the following 
manner : 

Selecting two of their accomplices, they 
dressed them up like shepherds, and arming 
them with hatchets, sent them at noon to the 
king's palace, with proper instructions as to 
what they were to say and do, and also as to 
the manner in which they were to proceed in 
their enterprise. These youths, on approach- 
ing the palace, began, according to their in- 
structions, to abuse one another, as if a quarrel 
existed between them. From hard words, 
they even went to blows, and finally bawled 
out loudly for the interference of the king. A 
large crowd quickly assembled, among whom 
w^ere many, who not only understood, but were 
ready to promote the scheme. Some under- 
took the defence of one party, and some that 
of the other, till the king, fearing a general dis- 
turbance of the peace, ordered the shepherds 
to appear before him. Having demanded 
information as to the subject of their dispute, 
one pretended that the other had defrauded 
him in relation to some goats, and, disregard- 



TakquInius Priscus 203 

ing the presence of the king, they once more 
began to reproach one another in the most 
vehement manner, making nse of language 
entirely devoid of meaning, and thus raising 
a general laughter among the spectators. 
Feigning great displeasure at this contempt 
of their cause, they brandished their weapons 
at the crowd ; and one of them seeking a fa- 
vorable opportunity, buried his axe in the 
king's head, whereupon,, they both endeavored 
to make their escape. They were, however, 
taken and punished, notwithstanding many of 
their friends stood ready to aid their flight. 

An event like this could not fail to create a 
great sensation throughout the city. The 
people ran hither and thither in great crowds, 
eager to ascertain the truth as to the thousand 
different reports which spread like wild-fire 
among them. In the meantime, Tanaquil, 
being informed as to what had happened, ran 
with all speed to the chamber where the dead 
king, her husband, lay. Instantly determin- 
ing upon what would be her best policy, she . 
stooped over the king, pretended to examine 
his wound, and, pronouncing it to be nothing 
more than a slight scratch, ordered bandages 
and ointments, requesting at the same time, 
that all present would leave the palace. 



204 Stories of Rome. 

Finding herself alone with the dead body, 
she admitted Servius, for whom she had pre- 
viously sent, and showing him the late king, 
she laid hold of his right hand, beseeching 
him, at the same time, that he would not suf- 
fer the death of his father-in-law to pass un- 
revenged, nor his mother-in-law to be exposed 
to the insults of their enemies. " Servius," 
said she, "if you act as a man, the kingdom 
is yours, and not theirs, who by the hands of 
others, have perpetrated the basest of crimes. 
Call forth your best exertions, and follow the 
guidance of the gods, who, formerly, by the 
divine fire which they spread around your 
head, gave an evident indication that it would 
afterwards be crowned with glory. 'Now let 
that heavenly flame arouse you. ]!!Tow awake 
to real glory. We, though foreigners, have 
reigned before you. Consider your present 
situation, not of what family you have sprung. 
If the suddenness of this event deprives you 
of the power of forming plans of your own, 
then follow mine." 

Having spoken in this manner to Servius, 
she proceeded to a balcony which overlooked 
the street, where a large multitude of people 
had assembled to learn the result of what had 
happened. Assuming a cheerful countenance, 



TAEQUiNirs Peiscus. 205 

she commanded their attention, and then told 
them in a pleasant manner, that there was no 
occasion for their alarm as the king had only 
been stunned by the blow which he had re- 
ceived ; that the injury was very slight, and 
that he was now so far recovered as to be able 
to sit up and converse with those about him. 
She also told the people that it was his wish 
that they should obey the- orders of Servius 
Tullius, who would administer justice and 
supply his place until such time as he should 
be able to resume his duties. At this intel- 
ligence, the people expressed entire satisfac- 
tion, and, soon after, Servius made his ap- 
pearance, clothed in the robes of State, and 
attended by the lictors. Seating himself upon 
the throne, he proceeded to the trial of some 
causes, then in progress, adjudging some, and 
concerning others, pretending that he would 
obtain the king's opinion. Thus, for several 
days, the king's death was kept a profound 
secret; Servius in the mean time taking every 
opportunity to strengthen his own interests. 



Eault History of Servius Tullius — His Military Acliieve- 
ments — He incurs the Enmity of the Patricians — He Courts 
the Favor of the People ; pays their Debts, and distributes 
the Public Lands among them — They confirm his Authority 
as Bang — He fears the Sons of Ancus Marcius — Marries his 
two Daughters to these Princes — "War with the Veientians 
— Establishment of the Census — The Temple of Diana — 
Anecdote of the Priest — Insubordination of the Tyrrhenians 
— Temples of Fortune — Plot of his Son-in-law, Tarquinius, 
and his Daughter Tullia — Their Defeat before the Senate — 
Tarquinius usurps the Kingdom — Encounter between Tar- 
quinius and Servius — Murder of Servius — Brutal Conduct of 
liis Daughter Tullia — Death of the Wife of Servius. 



IJ~"v^ 




'/^ 




TuUia Driving over the dead body of lier Father. p. Q;)^. 



SERVITJS TULLIUS 

FROM 516 TO 532 B.C. 



VI. 

Sekvius Tullius, the sixtli King of Eome, 
was the descendant of a royal family of Cor- 
niculum, a city of the Latin nation. It will 
be remembered that Tarquinius, in his war 
with the Latins, besieged this city, and, hav- 
ing compelled it to surrender, took many of 
its inhabitants prisoners to Home. Among 
the persons thus carried into slavery was a 
lady of ^reat modesty and beauty, named 
Ocrisia. She was the wife of one Tullius, a 
Latin officer, who was slain while bravely 
fighting in behalf of his country. The cap- 
turers of Ocrisia, having observed her extra- 
ordinary beauty, hoped to gain favor in the 
eyes of the king by giving her to him. Tar- 
quinius received her ; and, treating her with 
the respect which her appearance commanded, 
carried her to Rome and presented her to 



212 Stories of Rome. 

Tanaquil his wife. 'Not long after, Ocrisia 
gave birth to a son whom she named Tullius^ 
from his father ; she also gave him the name 
of Servins, indicative of her condition as a 
slave at the time of his birth. Tanaquil, be- 
coming much interested in her affairs, and 
finding her to be a woman of superior mind 
and attainments, caused her to be set at lib- 
erty, and distinguished her above the other 
women of her household by marks of the ut- 
most tenderness and regard. The mother and 
child both continued to reside in the palace, 
and both received the kindest attentions from 
the king and queen. 

The circumstance, already related, in re- 
gard to the miraculous flame with which the 
lad's head was found to be surrounded during 
sleep, was the means of bringing him into 
more intimate connection with the king. 
From this moment his education was 'conduct- 
ed with the utmost care, no pains being spared 
to fit him for whatever station in life he might 
see fit to choose. The laws of the Roman na- 
tion were taught and expounded to him by the 
most learned men, and in the science of gov- 
ernment he received instructions from the 
ablest masters. ]!!^or was his physical devel- 
opment neglected, for at an early age he be- 



Servius Tullius. 213 

came a successful competitor in feats requir- 
ing agility of body and familiarity with the 
use of arms. 

"While Servius was yet quite young, Tar- 
quinius permitted him to take part in his ex- 
pedition against the Tyrrhenians. On this 
occasion he exhibited so much bravery that 
the whole army accorded to him a share of 
praise which no other person was able to 
claim ; and the prize of valor was bestowed 
upon him without a single opposing voice, A 
similar reward was given to him, not long 
after, for his conduct during the battle fought 
near the city of Eretum. At the age of 
twenty years, he was placed in command of 
the Latin auxiliaries, who assisted Tarquinius 
in obtaining the sovereignty over the Tyrrhe- 
nians. In the first war undertaken by Tar- 
quinius against the Sabines, Servius, being 
general of the horse, put to flight the cavahy 
of the enemy, and pursued them with great 
slaughter as far as the city of Antemnee. In 
this war, also, he received the rewards which 
it was customary to bestow for superior brav- 
ery. Many were the actions in which he ac- 
quired the highest glory ; sometimes while in 
command of the horse, sometimes while in 
command of the foot. Tarquinius himself 



214 Stories of Rome. 

owned that the subjection of the Sabine na- 
tion was in great measure owing to the cour- 
age and skill with which Servius performed 
the part allotted to him, and crowned him ac- 
cordingly with the crowns usually given upon 
a victory. 

Such accomplishments and such deeds of 
valor could not pass unnoticed by his fellow- 
citizens, and it is not siu'prising that Servius 
should have been promoted from the rank of 
a plebeian to that of a patrician. This w^as 
done by a vote of the people in imitation of a 
similar honor conferred on Tarquinius, and, 
before him, on ITuma Pompilius. In addi- 
tion to all this, the king, as already stated, 
made him his son-in-law by giving him his 
daughter in marriage ; and confided to his 
care, not only his private affairs, but those 
that related to the public also. 

The manner in which Servius Tullius, by the 
aid of Tanaquil was placed upon the throne, 
together with the fact that he occupied it 
several days before the people were aware of 
the death of Tarquinius, is related at sufficient 
length in the preceding pages. To conceal 
his death for any great length of time, was 
quite impossible ; so, at the expiration of a 
few days, feeling somewhat secure in his pos- 



Sekvius Tullius. 215 

session of the kingdom, and having succeeded 
in banishing the two sons of Ancus, he made 
known to the people that the king had just 
died of his wound, and gave orders, also, for 
the celebration of his funeral. This was con- 
ducted in the most magniticent manner, Ser- 
vius retaining, meanwhile, the robes of State, 
together with all the other insignia of roy- 
alty. 

With the utmost self-possession, and with- 
out consulting the wishes either of the people 
or the Senate, he took upon himself the ad- 
ministration of public affairs, as guardian of 
the children of the late king. Although Ser- 
vius was a general favorite in Rome, this pro- 
ceeding w^as little calculated to preserve old 
friends or procure new ones, and it is not, 
therefore, a matter of astonishment, that the 
patricians should, with indignation and re- 
sentment, charge him with basely obtaining 
a kind of regal power, without the concurrence 
of the Senate, or any other requisite ordained 
by the law. Some of the more powerful 
among them, frequently met together and 
concerted means for putting an end to this 
illegal government. Finally they resolved 
that the first time Servius should convene the 
Senate, they would compel him to lay aside 



216 Stories of Kome. 

the robes and other ensigns of royalty; that 
they would declare the throne vacant, and 
proceed to elect a person to fill it. Keceiv- 
ing information of this resolution, Servius 
apj)lied himself to flatter and court the poorer 
classes, in hopes that through them, he might 
be able to retain his power. To this end, he 
immediately called together an assembly of 
the people, and, having placed the two grand- 
children of Tarquinius before them, he held a 
long discourse, which was well calculated to 
conciliate their favor, and procure their sup- 
port. 

"Fellow-citizens," he exclaimed, "I think 
myself under great obligations to take care of 
these infants, for Tarquinius, their grandfa- 
ther, received me when I was deprived both 
of my father and my country, and brought me 
up, being no less tender to me, than to his 
own children. To my protection he confided 
them, just before he died, and should I be 
pious towards the gods or just towards men, 
if I abandoned them ? 'No ; I never will 
abandon these children in the forlorn condi- 
tion to which they are reduced." 

Servius then recounted the benefits con- 
ferred by Tarquinius upon the Koman people ; 
he spoke also, in glowing terms, of his glori- 



Seevius Tullius. 217 

0U8 achievements upon the field of battle, and 
of his wisdom, his goodness, and his pietj ; 
and besought them to aid him in protecting 
the offspring of so worthy a monarch. He 
also alluded to his own warlike deeds in be • 
half of the interests of Rome ; but, asking 
nothing for himself, he simply desired that 
the posterity of Tarquinius might receive all 
the benefit of his claims. " In case," said he, 
" you choose to confirm me in the sovereign- 
ty, I will promise everything that you can 
reasonably demand. Those among you, who 
have contracted debts, and, through poverty, 
are unable to discharge them, as they are citi- 
zens, and have undergone many labors in the 
service of their country, I desire to relieve 
them ; I will supply them with money to pay 
their debts. 'Nor will I permit those to be 
imprisoned, who from this time forth shall 
contract debts ; but I will provide a law, that 
no man shall lend money on the secm-ity of the 
persons of free men. In order that the taxes 
of the poor shall not become so burdensome, 
I will make every citizen pay in accordance 
with the amoimt of property of which he shall 
be possessed. Those who have great posses- 
sions, should pay the greater taxes, and those 
who have small possessions, should pay small 



218 Stories of Eome. 

ones. The lands, also, wliich you have con- 
quered in war, should be so divided, that all 
may have an equal enjoyment of them. I am 
determined, too, that justice shall be adminis- 
tered, impartially, to all, and against all ; for 
some have become so insolent, that they do 
not hesitate to insult the common people, and 
do not look upon the poor among you to be, 
even free men. To the end, therefore, that 
great men may receive justice from, and do 
justice to their inferiors, I will provide such 
laws, as shall, without distinction, prevent 
violence, and preserve justice ; and I myself 
will never cease to support the equality of all 
the citizens." 

A speech like this could not fail to call 
forth the most noisy applause. On every hand 
he was extolled for his fidelity, and justice to 
his benefactors ; for his humanity and gen- 
erosity to the poor, and for his kindness to 
those of an inferior rank. A king like him, 
they concluded, would be all that they could 
desire. 

On the following day he caused a list to be 
made of all the insolvent debtors in Rome, 
together with the sums which each of them 
owed respectively. As soon as this list was 
completed he commanded tables to be placed 



Servius Tullius. 219 

in the Forum, and in the presence of all the 
citizens he paid the money to the creditors. 
This business being done he published a de- 
cree, by which it was ordained, that those 
who had converted the public lands to their 
own use, should give up possession within a 
certain number of days ; and that those citi- 
zens who were not in the enjoyment of any 
lands, should give in their names to him. 

These measures were highly offensive to the 
richer classes. While they tended to strength- 
en the claims of Servius upon the common 
people, they diminished, in proportion, the 
power of the Senate ; and the patricians, who 
had, so recently, resolved to deprive him of 
his crown, knew not, now, what course to 
pursue. After much consultation together, 
they concluded that it was best to yield to 
circumstances ; for, if they appointed an elec- 
tion, and proposed some other man for king, 
the people, by their votes, would doubtless 
cause him to be defeated ; and, if they left 
the election of a king to them, they would of 
course choose Servius, whose administration 
of affairs was so well calculated to satisfy and 
please them. The patricians, therefore, mur- 
muring among themselves, and secretly deter- 
mining that the position of Servius should not 



220 Stoeies of Eome. 

be strengthened by an election, suffered him 
to remain, for the present, in possession of the 
throne. 

Servius, having guessed the motive of their 
silence and apparent indifference, resolved 
to defeat their plans. Causing, therefore, a 
report to be circulated in the city, that the 
patricians were forming schemes against his 
administration, he laid aside his robes of State 
and putting on a very mean dress, came into 
the Forum, with a sorrowful face, accompanied 
by his mother, Tanaquil, and all the royal 
family. A circumstance so extraordinary 
caused a great sensation throughout the city, 
and the people came to the place, in crowds, 
to know its meaning. 

A gr^at multitude having soon assembled, 
Servius mounted the tribunal and thus ad- 
dressed them : " Romans, the children of Tar- 
quinius are, no longer, the only persons exposed 
to the severity of their enemies, but my life, 
also, is now in danger ; and I have reason to 
fear that I shall be cruelly requited for my 
justice ; for the patricians have formed treach- 
erous designs against me, and I have received 
information that some of them have conspired 
to kill me, without being able to charge me 
with any crime ; but, resenting the benefits I 



Sekvius Tullius. 221 

have conferred, and am prepared to confer 
upon the peoj^le, they look upon those benefits 
as so many injuries undeservedly accumu- 
lated upon themselves. Some of these are 
usurers, who complain of me for not suffering 
the poorer sort among you to be carried to 
prison by them for non-payment of their 
debts, and to be deprived of their liberty; 
others are such as rob the public, and enjoy 
the lands you have purchased with your 
blood." 

With these, and such like expressions he 
roused their anger against the patricians, upon 
whom the people now began to look as ene- 
mies ready at all times to prey upon them 
and trample them in the dust. He also 
affirmed that the patricians had resolved to 
recall, from banishment, the two sons of An- 
cus, who had been instrumental in the death 
of Tarquinius ; and to commit to them the 
government of Rome. He then showed them 
what would be the consequences to them, if 
such a scheme should be successful. " As they 
are," said he, "of an exceeding savage and 
tyrannical nature, they would not only destroy 
the friends of Tarquinius, but they would 
treat our wives, mothers, and daughters, like 
slaves. If it is your pleasure, also, Romans, 



222 Stoeies of Rome. 

to recall these assassins, and make them kings ; 
to banish the children of your benefactors, 
and to deprive them of the kingdom which 
their grandfather left them, we shall submit 
to our fate. But we all, together with our 
wives and children, make supplication to jou, 
by all the gods and genii, who watch over 
the affairs of men, that in return for the many 
benefits Tarquinius, the grandfather of these 
children, never ceased to confer upon you; in 
return for the many services I myself have 
rendered you, you will grant us this single 
favor, to declare yom' own sentiments : for if 
you think any other persons more worthy of 
this honor, the children with all the other 
relations of Tarquinius, shall withdraw them- 
selves from your city. As for myself I shall 
take a more generous resolution ; for I have, 
already, lived long enough both for virtue 
and for glory ; and, if I am disappointed of 
your favor, which I look uj)on as the greatest 
of all advantages, I will never live disregarded 
among any other people. Take, then, the 
rods, and give them, if you think fit, to the 
patricians ; my presence shall cause you no 
further trouble." 

Having uttered these words, Servius pre- 
pared to leave the tribunal, but the people, 



Seevius Tullius. 223 

making a great clamor, entreated him, witli 
tears in their eyes, to remain where he was, 
and to continue, without fear, in the admin- 
istration of affairs. His particular friends, 
who were scattered about in different parts 
of the Forum, cried out that they ought to 
make him king, and demanded a vote of the 
people to be taken. This opinion, presently, 
pervaded the whole assembly, and Servius, 
resolving to let no opportunity slip, expressed 
his thanks for the kind feelings which they 
were pleased to entertain for him ; assuring 
them that if he should be elected king, he 
would do more for them than he had ever yet 
done. The demand for an election beino; 
constantly repeated, he finally appointed a 
day for holding it, and ordered all the inhab- 
itants of the country as well as of the city to 
be present. 

As might be expected, a large majority of 
the people cast their votes for Servius, and he 
accepted the kingly office, though the Senate 
refused to confirm the proceedings of the 
people. Servius was, therefore, allied to the 
plebeians, and at variance with the higher 
and wealthier classes of Rome. 

Although, for the present, Servius felt quite 
secure in the enjoyment of regal power, yet 



224 Stories of Rome. 

he regarded the grandchildren of the late 
king with some degree of fear. They were 
still, it is true, young and unable to do him 
any injury, but, judging from the.i^onduct of 
the sons of Ancus Marcius, it was quite natu- 
ral for him to dread that, when arrived at 
maturity, they would make an effort to dis- 
possess him of the crown ; nor were his fears, 
as we shall see, without foundation. Servius 
had two daughters about the age of these two 
lads ; and the better to secure his crown he 
married these two daughters to the young 
princes, whose names were Lucius and Aruns ; 
but even this device was insufficient to protect 
him against the envy which sovereign power 
will always draw upon itself. 

Not long after the occurrence of what has 
just been related, those nations which had 
submitted to Tarquinius, thinking that they 
might derive great advantage from the quarrel 
which existed between Servius and the Senate, 
refused to observe the treaties into which they 
had entered ; and declared that they would 
not submit to the present king of Home be- 
cause he was a man of mean birth. Servius, 
confident of his ability in war, was not sorry 
of an opportunity to prove to the proud patri- 
cians that he was able to maintain his royal 



Servitjs Tullius. 225 

authority. Collecting, therefore, a large army, 
he sallied forth from Rome, and proceeded 
with all speed against the Yeientians, who 
w^ere foremost in the revolt. ]N"or were they 
unprepared to meet him ; but Servius, burn- 
ing, not only with the desire of revenge but 
with the wish to prove his power, fell upon 
them with such fury, that their army, though 
very large, was driven into confusion and 
completely destroyed. Stripping them of 
everything which they possessed, and laying 
waste their country with fire and sword, he 
returned to Rome covered with glory. 

The revolt, however, of these different na- 
tions did not terminate here. Frequent wars 
occurred during almost the entire reign of 
Servius, the advantage being uniformly upon 
the side of the Romans. 

Returning victorious from his first campaign, 
he undertook a variety of political improve- 
ments of great and lasting importance. These 
improvements have served to immortalize his 
name, and place him, in fact, by the side of 
the greatest legislators of the world. 

The first, of which we shall speak, was 
the establishment of the censios, or registry of 
the Roman citizens and their proj)erty. By 
a royal decree he ordered that all the citizens 

15 



226 Stories of Rome. 

should register their names, in places appoint- 
ed for that purpose, and give in a correct 
valuation of their possessions ; he compelled 
them, at the same time, to take an oath that 
they had given in a true, and, in all respects, 
a just valuation. They were also ordered to 
set down the names of their parents, with 
their own age, and the names of their wives 
and children; besides this, every man was to 
declare in what part of the city, or, in what 
village in the country he lived. That this de- 
cree might be fully carried out, he ordained 
that all those who failed to comply with its 
requirements, should be stripped of their pos- 
sessions, whipped through the streets, and 
afterwards sold for slaves. 

The register having been completed, Servius. 
examined it with the utmost care, observing 
both the number of the people and the great- 
.ness of their fortunes. He then divided the 
citizens according to their possessions, into six 
classes, and these classes he subdivided into 
centuries. The first class consisted of those 
whose fortunes amounted resj)ectively to at 
least one hundred minge. The property of 
the second class was at least seventy-five 
minge ; that of the third, at least fifty minse ; 
that of the fourth, twenty-five minse, and that 



Sekvius Tullius. 227 

of the fifth twelve and a half min^. All 
those persons whose property did not amount 
to this last sum were included in the sixth 
class. The first class contained eighty cen- 
turies, to which were added eighteen centu- 
ries of the knights ; the three following classes 
had each twenty centuries ; the fifth thirty, 
and the sixth only one century. Each of 
these classes had its particular arms, and the 
soldiers selected from each had their partic- 
ular positions in the army. 

Previous to this period, the poor citizens 
were obliged to pay the same amount of taxes 
and render the same services in war as the 
rich ; but in consequence of this disposition 
of the people, he raised soldiers according to 
the division of the centuries ; and taxes in 
proportion to their possessions. If, for in- 
stance, he wished to raise ten thousand men, 
he demanded an equal number of men from 
each century, which compelled the richer 
classes that contained the most centuries to 
furnish the largest number of men. In like 
manner, if it became necessary to raise a cer- 
tain amount of money, he obliged each cen- 
tury to contribute an equal sum, and thus 
again each man was forced to serve the public 
good only in proportion to his means. The 



228 St.ories of Rome. 

richer classes were not of course so large as 
the poorer classes, consequently the centuries 
differed greatly in numbers, those in the first 
classes being much smaller than those in the 
last. 

So great an improvement in the condition 
of the Roman people can be ascribed to noth- 
ing else than the wisdom and goodness of 
Servius. The justice of his regulations for- 
bids the idea that they were established solely 
with a view to please the poor and thereby 
get the physical strength of the nation upon 
his side. If any doubt could exist on this 
23oint, it must be utterly dispelled by the fact 
that he gave to the rich all the power w^hich 
they could demand for the protection of their 
rights. To them he virtually committed the 
election of civil and military magistrates, the 
enacting and repealing of laws, and the de- 
claring war and making peace ; for these 
things were all subject to the power of the 
people and decided by their vote. Previous 
to his division of the people, every man was 
entitled to a single vote. As, according to 
his new scheme of government, the people 
were taxed by centuries, so also they voted by 
centuries ; and, as the first class contained 
more centuries than all the other classes 



Servius Tullius. 229 

united, so the first class, if unanimous on any 
point, were able to rule. 'No disposition to 
complain of his regulations was ever mani- 
fested either on the part of the rich or the 
poor, and they continued in full force during 
many generations. 

The Census, thus established by Servius, 
was taken once every five years, and after its 
completion, a purification called the Lustrxim 
was always performed. On this occasion 
Servius collected all the citizens in arms in 
the largest field before the city ; he drew up 
the horse in their respective troops, and the 
foot in their lines, placing the bodies of light 
armed forces, each in their own centuries. This 
being done, he performed an expiatory sacri- 
fice with a bull, a ram, and a boar. These 
victims he ordered to be led three times round 
the army, and then sacrificed them to Mars. 
The whole number of Komans who registered 
their names at this time was eighty- four thou- 
sand and seven hundred. Some historians 
affirm that this was only the number of those 
who were able to bear arms. 

The population of Rome was now increas- 
ing with such rapidity, that Servius added two 
more hills to the city ; one called the Yimi- 
nal, the other the Esquiline hill. The land 



230 Stoeies of Rome. 

thus included within the city he divided 
among such of the Romans as had no houses ; 
and he himself fixed his habitation in the 
most convenient part of the Esquiline hill. 
This is the last addition that was ever made 
to the city. It now stood upon seven hills ; 
every increase of its dimensions having been 
made, after first consulting the auspices, as 
the law directed, and performing religious 
rites. 

Rome being now greatly enlarged, and its 
internal affairs in a most prosperous condition, 
Servius conceived the idea of forming a gen- 
eral council of the Latin cities. To this end 
he took considerable pains to form connections 
of hospitality and friendship with the chief 
men of the Latins, both in his public and 
private capacity, and recommended in the 
strongest terms, concord, and a social union 
between their several gods. Nor were the 
repeated expressions of his sentiments with- 
out success, for the Latin States finally agreed 
to build, in conjunction with the Roman peo- 
ple, a temple to Diana at Rome. Hither they 
resolved that the inhabitants of their different 
cities should repair every year and offer up 
their public and jDrivate sacrifices. Here, 
too, they proposed to celebrate festivals at 



Servius Tullius. 231 

such times as tliey should afterwards appoint ; 
and if any disturbance should arise between 
any of these cities, this communion of sacri- 
fices would tend to compose it ; they submit- 
ting the settlement of their comj)laints to the 
rest of the city. 

To agree upon Home as the location of this 
temple, was a virtual acknowledgment of its 
superiority on the part of the Latin people, 
this being a point which they had always 
been very loth to admit. While as a nation, 
they were unable to do otherwise, individ- 
uals were not wanting, who not only enter- 
tained the greatest jealousy, but who were 
even ready to seize any opportunity which 
fortune offered, of recovering independence 
and power. It is related, as an instance of 
this, that a certain person among the Sabines 
had a heifer calf, of such extraordinary size 
and beauty, (her horns, which remained for 
ages fixed on the porch of the temple of Di- 
ana, was a monument of this w^onder,) that 
she was considered in tlie light of a prodigy ; 
and the soothsayers declared that sovereignity 
would reside in that State, whose subject 
should sacrifice this heifer to Diana. This 
prediction reached the ears of the priest who 
had the charge of Diana's temple. The Sa- 



232 Stoeies of Rome. 

bine, as soon as lie had fixed on a j)i*oper day 
for the sacrifice, drove the heifer to Rome, 
brought her to the temj)le of Diana and placed 
her before the altar. The priest suspecting 
the truth, from the size of the victim, of which 
he had heard so much, and remembering 
the prediction, addressed the Sabine thus; 
" Stranger, what are you preparing to do ? To 
perform sacrifice to Diana, without the neces- 
sary preparation ? Why do you not first dip 
yourself in a running stream? The Tiber 
flows along in the bottom of that vale." The 
stranger struck with the scruple, and anxious 
to have everything performed in due order, 
that the event might answer to the prodigy, 
went down from the temple to the Tiber. In 
the mean time the Roman sacrificed the heifer 
to Diana : a circumstance which gave great 
pleasure to the king, and to the whole State. 
As soon as the temple was completed, Ser- 
vius composed laws relating to the mutual 
rights of the cities, and gave orders as to the 
manner in which everything relating to the 
festival and the general assembly, should be 
conducted. That time might never destroy 
the laws enacted upon this occasion, he caused 
a brazen pillar to be erected, upon which he 
ordered to be engraved, both the decrees of 



Servius Tullius. 233 

the council and the names of the cities which 
had assisted thereat. 

While Servius was thus devising and exe- 
cuting plans for the general good, he was con- 
stantly annoyed by the insubordination of the 
Tyrrhenians, who appeared to be never satis- 
fied by the chastisements which he inflicted 
upon them. Finally in the twentieth year of 
his reign, he determined to put an end to 
their incursions, and bring them into subjec- 
tion. With this view, he assembled a large 
army, and marched upon their different cities. 
Taking one after another, and completely rav- 
aging their country, he compelled them at last, 
to sue for peace in the most humble terms. 
Servius told them that their want of faith in 
keeping their treaties, and their impiety to- 
wards the gods, merited the most severe chas- 
tisement, yet, since they acknowledged their 
fault, and craved pardon with so much humil- 
ity, they should now feel the whole effect of 
the clemency and moderation of the Roman 
people. With this promise he concluded the 
war, allo^ving most of the cities to preserve 
their ancient forms of government, neither 
restraining them in anything, nor retaining 
the least resentment on account of their past 
injuries. There were three cities, however, 



234: Stories of Rome. 

belonging to the Cseretani, the Tarqiiinien- 
eians and the Yeientians, which had been 
more mischievous than the rest, and which 
had doubtless stirred up the others to revolt. 
These he deprived of their lands, giving them 
to those persons who had recently come to 
settle at Rome. 

Upon the establishment of peace, he thought 
it to be his duty to testify his gratitude to 
Fortune, who so constantly favored him. 
With this view, he dedicated two temples to 
her, one in the Boarian market, called the 
temple of Fortuna Yirilis^ and the other on 
the banks of the Tiber, called the temple of 
Fors Fortuna. He caused his own statue to 
be jDlaced in the temple of Fortuna Yirilis ; 
and it is related, that the temple being 
afterwards destroyed by fire, this statue was 
not injured in the least, although it was made 
of wood. This prodigy w^as always regarded 
as an evidence that Servius was very much 
beloved by the gods. 

It will be remembered, that King Tarquin- 
ius left two grandchildren, whom Tanaquil, . 
upon the death of her husband, confided to 
the care of Servius Tullius. As soon as these 
children liad reached a marriageable age, 
Servius bestowed his eldest daughter upon 



Sebvius Tullius. 235 

Lucius the eldest brother, and his youngest 
daughter Tullia, upon Aruns the youngest 
brother. It seems that the matter of choosing 
was not a subject of consideration with either 
party, for Lucius, the eldest, who was a bold, 
insolent, and tyrannical man, found himself in 
possession of a good and amiable woman, full 
of affection for the king, her father ; while 
Aruns, the youngest, a man of great mildness 
and ]3rudence, w^as joined to Tullia, whose 
wickedness and immodesty could scarcely find 
a parallel. Their natural inclinations could 
not, under such circumstances, be indulged in 
without giving rise to mutual reproaches, 
which eventually resulted in dislike and ha- 
tred. 

For many years they lived together in this 
unhappy manner. During this time Lucius 
on the one hand was constantly but in vain 
seeking the co-operation of his wife in his 
schemes to dethrone the king her father; 
on the other hand Tullia the king's own 
daughter, was with as little success endeavor- 
ing to incite her husband to a similar attempt. 
When however the repeated efforts of Lucius 
drew forth nothing but the tears and remon- 
strancesof his wife; and, when the instiga- 
tions of the wicked Tullia were insufficient to 



236 Stoeies of Rome. 

prompt the prudent Aruns to perform an im- 
pious action, both endeavored to get rid of 
the hindrances in the way of their ambitious 
projects. 

TuUia, having determined to get possession 
of her father's throne, and finding that she 
could never prevail upon her own husband to 
second her efforts, concluded, at last, that her 
sister's husband would be a more suitable 
instrument for her purposes. With this view, 
she watched a favorable opportunity and sent 
for him, pretending that she wanted to speak 
to him concerning some affair of importance. 

Agreeably to her request, Lucius hastened 
to meet her at her house. " May I, Tarquin- 
ius," said she, " declare with freedom and 
without danger, all my thoughts concerning 
our common interests? And, will you not 
divulge what you shall hear ? Or, would it 
not be more prudent in me to be silent and 
not communicate counsels that require secre- 
cy?" "Speak," said Tarquinius, "I long to 
know the secrets of a heart which I believe to 
be the counterpart of my own ; nor can you 
confide to one more trusty." " Swear to me," 
said Tullia. " I swear most willingly." " Tell 
me then, Tarquinius, how long do you design 
to suffer yourself to be deprived of the king- 



Servius Tullius. 237 

dom ? Is it because you are of mean birth, 
that you refuse to entertain high thoughts of 
yourself? J^o, certainly, for your ancestors 
were of noble origin, and your grandfather 
was king of Rome. Is it because weakness 
or deformity of body prevents you from per- 
forming the functions of a king ? Surely, you 
are endued with strength and beauty equally 
with those whom nature has most highly fa- 
vored. Is it because of extreme youth? Cer- 
tainly you have arrived at an age, when the 
judgment is in the greatest perfection. Is it 
because of the high birth or popularity of him 
who now governs? Assuredly he has not 
these things in his favor. Why then have 
you no ambition? Why do you not thirst 
for glory ? Do not try to answer me, but let 
me declare the reason freely, even though 
you should call me bold. Hear me then : you 
have a wife, in no wise like yourself, who by 
her enchantments, has transformed you from 
a man of spirit to a wretch of the meanest 
value. So is it with myself : I have a pusil- 
lanimous husband who has nothing manly in 
him, who depresses my spirit, which is worthy 
of great things, and wastes the charms of my 
person. Driven to madness by my cruel des- 
tiny, I have sought this interview to ask you 



238 Stoeies of Rome. 

why fortune hath thus directed it, and whether 
w^e ourselves cannot correct the errors she hath 
committed by changing our nuptial engage- 
ments? Tell me then, do you love your wife 
better than glory ?" 

"I love glory more," replied Tarquinius, 
without any hesitation. " And so love I glory 
more than him who is now my husband," ex- 
claimed the daring Tullia. "Go then Tar- 
quinius, and sacrifice that wife to glory, and 
so will I my husband, and our union shall 
accomplish what, in our present condition, 
neither of us can achieve. When a kingdom 
is the reward, no one is to blame for the com- 
mission of any crime." 

JSTothino^ could have been more ao-reeable 
to Lucius Tarquinius than the bold and raj)id 
speech of Tullia. He saw, in her, a woman 
admirably adapted to his wicked and ambi- 
tious purposes. He felt that the sceptre of 
Rome was already w^ithin his reach, and he 
dared to perform any deed whereby he might 
secure it. They parted, then, each resolved 
upon a deed of the blackest dye. When they 
met again, the husband of the one and the 
wife of the other were no more. The game 
by which they could win the crown was now 
their only study. First they must be united 



Seryiijs Tulliijs. 239 

in marriage ; but this was no difficult thing 
to do, for neither the objections of their re- 
spective children, nor those of their aged 
parents were, for an instant, heeded. Mar- 
riage was but a trifling part of the scheme of 
wickedness which they would speedily devel- 
op. ISTor were they dilatory in their proceed- 
ings, or even secret in the prosecution of their 
plans. There were many among the patri- 
cians who still entertained a hatred for Ser- 
vius, because he had obtained the throne 
without the concurrence of the Senate ; and 
there were some, too, among the people, who 
having no regard for justice, could easily be 
induced to espouse any cause which j)romised 
to promote their own interests. These, being 
won, without difficulty, to the side of Lucius 
Tarquinius, entered with great activity into 
all his schemes. 

Reports of their proceedings were soon 
brought to the king, who, while he listened to 
them with calmness, was filled with resent- 
ment, as well as with uncertainty as to the 
course most advisable for him to pursue. Had 
Tarquinius been a stranger to him, or had the 
wife of Tarquinius been any other than his 
own daughter, he would, doubtless, have acted 
with promptness and energy ; but he could 



24:0 Stories of Rome. 

not lay hands upon his own children and 
punish them as his enemies. To terminate 
the conspiracy against him without resorting 
to violent measures, he invited Tarquinius to 
confer with him in the presence of his friends. 
Tarquinius did not manifest the least hesita- 
tion to meet him ; nor did he conceal his de- 
sign to take possession of the throne. Servius 
remonstrated with him, accused him of in- 
gratitude, and endeavored to persuade him to 
relinquish a scheme which must inevitably 
end in misfortune and ruin. But Tarquinius, 
firm in his resolution, and confident of the 
support of the faction which he had been able 
to form, insisted upon pleading his cause be- 
fore the Senate, declaring at the same time 
that he was willing to submit to their de- 
cision. 

Thinking that Tarquinius might yet be con- 
vinced of his irrational behavior, he yielded 
to his wish, and calling together the Senate, 
thus addressed them : " Fathers, I have dis- 
covered that Tarquinius has formed a faction 
against me, and is endeavoring to dethrone 
me ; I desire, therefore, that he will let me 
know, in the jDresence of you all, what detri- 
ment he has received from me ; or what in- 
jury I have done to the commonwealth to de- 



Sekvifs Tullius. 241 

serve that be slionld form these designs against 
me. Answer me, then, Tarquinius, without 
concealing anything, and say what you have 
to accuse me of, since you have chosen the 
Senate to judge between us." 

Tarquinius, looking boldly at the king, thus 
addressed him: "My answer, Servius, will 
be short, and founded on justice ; and for 
that reason I choose to lay it before the Senate. 
Tarquinius, my grandfather, obtained the 
sovereignty of the Romans, by fighting many 
considerable battles in their defence ; and he 
being dead, I am his successor, according to 
the laws received by all the Greeks and Bar- 
barians. I ought, in justice, to inherit not 
only his fortunes, but his kingdom, in the 
same manner as all other successors inherit 
the estates of their grandfathers. You have, 
indeed, delivered up to me the fortunes which 
he left ; but you have deprived me of the 
kingdom, and continue to hold it, notwith- 
standing you obtained it by the most unjusti- 
fiable means. Did the interreges appoint 
you to the kingly office ? Did the Senate 
pass a vote in your favor? Did you obtain 
this power by a legal election of the people as 
my grandfather and all the kings before him. 
obtained it ? No : you gained the sovereignty 

16 



242 Stoeies of Rome. 

bv hiring and corrupting a multitude of vaga- 
bonds and beggars ; men rendered infamous 
by being condemned, or burdened with debts 
men who had no regard for the public ; and 
by declaring, even then, that you did not re- 
ceive the power for yourself; and pretending 
that you reserved it for us, who were then 
orphans and infants. And you promised, be- 
fore all the world, that, when we arrived at 
manhood, you would surrender the power to 
me as the elder brother. When you deliver- 
ed up to me the palace of my grandfather, 
why did you not also restore to me the king- 
dom which was equally my own ? If you had 
done this, you would have gained the charac- 
ter of a pious and just man ; you would have 
been called my benefactor, my father, and 
my preserver ; and you would have received 
every other distinguishing appellation which 
mankind give to the authors of worthy actions. 
Instead, however, of wishing, even now, to do 
me justice, you have the assurance to ask me 
what ill-treatment provokes me to look upon 
you as my enemy, and for what reason I ac- 
cuse you ? But ansv/er me yourself, Servius, 
and say for what reason you think me unwor- 
thy to inherit the honors of my grandfather ; 
and what specious pretence you have to allege 



Sekvitjs TuLLirs. 243 

for depriving me of them. Lay aside the 
affectation of yom' shameless questions, and 
cease, at last, to be an evil man. If, however, 
you have anything to allege against what I 
have said, I am ready to leave the determina- 
tion of our contest to these who are present ; 
and I am satisfied that we can find none in 
the city better qualified to decide it. But if, 
from this tribunal, you fly to the rabble (as it 
is customary with you), I will not suffer it ; 
for I am prepared not only to defend my 
cause by my words, but if these fail to con- 
vince you by my actions also." 

Servius listened very quietly to the brief, 
but bold, words of Tarquinius ; and, when 
they were ended, the Senate turned towards 
him with looks which indicated but too plain- 
ly the pleasure which they would experience 
at seeing him confounded. Servius, however, 
in no wise abashed, transferred his steady 
gaze from Tarquinius to the Senators around 
him, and thus replied: "Fathers, it seems 
that, as a man, I ought to expect everything, 
however extraordinary ; and to look upon 
nothing as strange, since Tarquinius wishes 
to dethrone even me, who received him, when 
he was an infant, and, when his enemies were 
forming designs against his life, preserved 



24A Stories of Home. 

him and brought him up ; and, when he be- 
came a man, honored him so much as to make 
him my son-in-law, designing to make him 
heir to all my fortunes at my death. But 
since I am accused of having wronged him, I 
shall, while I lament my misfortune, proceed 
to defend my cause against him. 

" I took upon myself, Tarquinius, the 
guardianship of yourself and brother when 
you were left infants, and unprotected against 
the designs of those who had but recently as- 
sassinated your grandfather. All the wealth 
which he possessed was secured and j)romptly 
delivered into your hands, as you confess, 
when you were of an age proper to receive 
it. The murderers of your grandfather, 
through my instrumentality, were punished ; 
and you were not only placed in safety, but 
educated in a manner suited to your birth and 
fortunes. As to the royal dignity, I will now 
tell you how I received it, and the reasons also 
why I shall resign it neither to you nor to any 
other person." 

Here Servius related to him the manner in 
which he had obtained the kingdom from the 
people, and showed him, by the example of 
his own grandfather, that the throne of Rome 
had not been considered hereditary, either 



Sekvius Tullius. 245 

by the people or by the kings themselves. 
"If," continued Servius, "I did not obtain 
the power, in the most justifiable manner, as 
you say, having neither been elected by the 
interreges, nor received the administration 
from the Senate, and that other things requir- 
ed by the law, were not observed ; if this is 
so, 1 wrong these, not you ; and desire to be 
dethroned by them, not by you. If I had 
injured you, Tarquinius, in taking possession 
of the kingdom, you should have gone to those 
who conferred it upon me, for, certainly, they 
w^ould have been willing to restore to you any 
rights of which you were deprived. If you 
were of opinion that you were a fitter person 
to be entrusted with the care of the common- 
wealth, you ought to have inquired into the 
errors of my government; you ought to have 
displayed the number of your own actions, 
and to have summoned me to a decision of 
our contest, l^one of these things have you 
done, nor have you even now brought this 
matter before a proper tribunal: before an 
assembly of the people only should you have 
accused me. Since, however, you decline 
doing this, I will myself call the people to- 
gether, and appoint them judges of the crimes 
of which you accuse me ; and, again, leave it 



246 Stoeies of Rome. 

to them to determine wMcli of us two is the 
fittest person to govern; and, whatever they 
shall unanimously order me to do, I shall sub- 
mit to." 

Having spoken in this manner toTarquinius, 
Servius turned towards the Senate, and charg- 
ed them, in direct terms, with having con- 
spired to dethrone him, and with attempting 
to subvert the peace and good order of the 
State. He asked them the reasons for this 
extraordinary behavior, and by the severity 
of his interrogations so completely over- 
whelmed them, that they were scarcely able 
to endure his presence. Observing, finally, 
that he had vanquished them by his eloquence, 
he thus concluded: "If you are of opinion 
that this man, when invested with the power, 
will administer it better than myself, I shall 
not envy the commonwealth a better governor. 
And, after I have surrendered the sovereignty 
to the people, from whom I received it, and 
am become a private person, I shall endeavor 
to make it appear to all the world, that I know 
both how to command with prudence, and 
how to obey with modesty. Go, then, Sena- 
tors, to your homes, and let your aim be to 
administer to your own pride less, and to serve 
the interests of Rome more 1" 



Sekvius Tullius. 24:7 

Covered with shame, and unable to make 
the least reply, they left the Senate Chamber; 
whereupon Servius ordered heralds to go 
through every street and call together the 
people. In a short time the citizens assembled 
in crowds about the Forum, each anxiously 
asking of the other what was the occasion of 
so extraordinary an assembly. Servius at 
last ascended the tribunal, and in a long and 
pathetic address, enumerated all the military 
actions which he had performed before, as 
well as since, he had been in possession of the 
kingdom ; he also spoke of the numerous and 
excellent institutions by which he had at 
various times benefited the commonwealth ; 
and, finally, when the people began to testify 
their applause, told them that Tarquinius had 
accused him of continuing in the unjust pos- 
session of the throne. At this, the people 
raised a great clamor, crying out against 
Tarquinius in the most bitter terms. With 
some difficulty, he managed, however, to ob- 
tain silence ; telling them that it would be 
better to send for Tarquinius, and if, after 
hearing his complaints, they were satisfied 
that he had been wronged, or that he was 
worthier to command, then to invest him with 
the government of the commonwealth. "For 



248 Stoeies of Rome. 

my own part," said he, " I now resign it, and 
restore it to those from whom I received it." 
Saying this, he prepared to leave the tribunal, 
when the people raising a great outcry, pre- 
vented him, calling out, at the same time, 
that he should not resign the sovereignty to 
any one, and that Tarquinius should be stoned 
to death. Tarquinius, being present, heard 
this and forthwith fled together wdth all those 
who had espoused his cause. Immediately the 
people, taking up Servius in their arms, car- 
ried him to his palace in the midst of the most 
noisy demonstrations of joy. 

In consequence of all this, Tarquinius shut 
himself up in his own house, permitting no 
one to see him except the members of his 
family. After some time, however, he ven- 
tured, at the instance of Tullia his wife, to pay 
a visit to the king, with a view to effect a 
reconciliation between them. Servius, little 
suspecting the baseness of his motives, receiv- 
ed him with the utmost kindness, accepting, 
at the same time, his professions of repentance 
and his promises for the future. 

]!!^ot long after this, a favorable opportunity 
having occurred, Tarquinius accompanied by 
a number of his friends, sallied forth deter- 
mined to make a bold stroke for the kingdom. 



Sekvius Tullius. 249 

He had, previously, contrived to get posses- 
sion of the axes belonging to the lictors to- 
gether with the royal robes. Having placed 
the former in the hands of some of his domes- 
tics, he arrayed himself in the latter, and 
proceeded cautiously to the Forum. Arriving 
at the Senate-house, he immediately gave 
orders to the herald to assemble the Senators. 
A number of the patricians, apprized of his 
intentions, were already w^ithin, ready to aid 
him in his treacherous designs. Seating him- 
self upon the throne, he assumed the powers 
and duties of the kingly office ; and the Sena- 
tors, willing to further his designs, paid to him 
all the honors of his station. 

In the meantime, some one went with all 
haste to the palace, and informed Servius that 
Tarquinius had usurped his prerogatives ; and 
that the Senate had assembled at his bidding. 
Astonished at so bold a deed, and eager to 
visit it with speedy punishment, he left his 
palace attended by a smaller guard than pru- 
dence would have provided. Entering the 
Senate Chamber, and seeing Tarquinius seat- 
ed upon his throne clothed with all the en- 
signia of royalty, he hastily placed himself 
before him, and, in the most indignant man- 
ner, exclaimed : " Who, most wicked man. 



250 Stoeies of Kome. 

gave you authority to assume these robes V^ 
Tarquinius regarding him with the utmost 
contempt, and at the same time making mo- 
tions for him to withdraw, replied : " Through 
your boldness and impudence, Servius, though 
you are not so much as a free man, but a 
slave and the son of a slave, whom my grand- 
father chose out of the rest of the captives, 
you have dared to make yourself king of the 
Komans." 

Such a reproach, was even more than the 
patient Servius could bear. Exasperated be- 
yond measure, and wholly forgetful of his 
own safety, he rushed upon the usurper with 
the vain hope of forcing him to quit his seat. 
Tarquinius, exulting in the favorable oppor- 
tunity, leaped from the throne, and, seizing 
the aged king by the throat, dragged him to 
the stairs which lead from the apartment, and 
threw him violently to the pavement below. 
The servants of Servius fled in terror; and 
the old man, stunned by the blow, was obliged 
to rise without the least assistance. Seeing 
himself entirely abandoned, he proceeded to- 
wards his own house, so covered with blood, 
and so disordered in his dress as to be with 
difficulty recognized. 

While all this was going on, TuUia the wife 



SekV-ius Tullius. 251 

of Tarquinius, having heard that her father 
had gone to the Senate-house for the purj)ose 
of defeating the scheme of her husband, re- 
solved to follow. Summoning, therefore, her 
chariot, she proceeded thither in all haste, 
and reached the spot only in season to witness 
the atrocious act just related. Far from oifer- 
ing to interfere in behalf of her father, she 
followed her husband as he returned to his 
seat, and was the first person to salute him as 
king ; doing it, too, in a loud voice, and pray- 
ing the gods that, for the advantage of Rome, 
he might long possess the kingdom. The rest 
of the assembly followed her example, when, 
watching a favorable o]3portunity, she thus 
addressed Tarquinius. " Your plan has been 
well conceived, and your first step boldly ta- 
ken, but it is impossible for you, Tarquinius, 
to enjoy the kingdom while Servius lives ; for 
he will certainly inflame the people against 
you by his harangues ; even at this moment 
he may be assembling them around him. 
Delay not, I pray you, to send proper per- 
sons to destroy him before he can find safety 
in his palace." Waiting only long enough 
to see her wishes complied with, she left 
the chamber, ascended her chariot, and de- 
parted. 



252 Stokies of Rome. 

The servants whom Tarquinius despatched, 
went with all haste upon their dreadful er- 
rand. Easily discovering the road whicli the 
wounded king had taken, they followed on, 
armed with swords, eager to fulfil the orders 
of their master. In a narrow street, not far 
from his palace, they espied the disfigured and 
bleeding king, tottering along, by the aid of 
two or three persons whom he had called to 
Ids assistance. Being sufficient in number, 
and well armed, they fiew to the spot, and, 
putting to flight the king's attendants, as- 
sailed him with such fury, that he was al- 
most instantly slain. ISTot long after, Tullia, 
in her passage from the Senate-house, reach- 
ed the spot in her chariot. The street being 
narrow, and the body of the king lying di- 
rectly across it, the animals attached to her 
chariot became frightened, and were arrested 
by the driver. "Why do you stop?" cried 
Tullia. "Drive on, slave!" "Look!" replied 
the driver, " the dead body of your father lies 
before us, and there is no passage except we 
drive across it!" "Then drive across it, 
wretch !" exclaimed the heartless woman ; 
and away went the heavy chariot, breaking 
the bones and tearing the flesh of the unfortu- 
nate Servius. 



Seevius Tullius. 253 

This horrid scene did not pass unnoticed, 
and the street in which it occurred, received 
the name of Yicus BGeleratus^ The ifnpious 
street ^ and the affair was regarded with the 
utmost detestation, even by those who were 
most active in the cause of the usurper. 
When the death of Servius became generally 
known, a tumult ensued, and the whole city 
was filled with lamentation and mourning. 
So great, indeed, was the excitement, that 
Tarquinius feared for his own safety, and 
managed, through his friends, to prevent the 
body of Servius from receiving the customary 
burial of the kings. His wife was permitted 
to carry it out of the city at night, when with 
the assistance of a few friends, she buried it, 
uttering at the same time, a thousand curses 
against her cruel son-in-law, and her heartless 
daughter. So violent was her grief, that she 
lived but one day after the funeral. It is 
supposed by some, that she put an end to her 
own existence, while others declare that the 
compassion and love which she expressed 
for her husband, provoked her son-in-law and 
daughter to put her to death. 

Servius reigned forty-four years, during all 
which time, he enjoyed the uninterrupted af- 
fection of the people. It is true, that he did 



254 Stories of Rome. 

not obtain the throne hj the mode which cus- 
tom had established ; but, at the same time, 
he did not seize it bj force, nor occupy it in. 
violation of the rights of more legal claimants. 
The kingdom was not hereditary, and a great 
majority of the people were desirous that he 
should possess it. Their wish was a reason- 
able one, for Servius was a man of great mod- 
eration and uprightness. The Roman people 
w^ere prosperous under his reign, and their 
condition was, in a hundred ways, improved. 
It is supposed, that if he had lived, he would 
have changed the government to a democra- 
cy ; and, for this reason, it is said the patri- 
cians entered into the conspiracy formed 
against him. 



Apprehensions of Tarquinius Superbus — Cruel Conse- 
quences of his Suspicions — He destroys the Laws of Servius 
— Imposes Burdens upon the People — He invites the Chiefs 
of the Latin Cities to a General Assembly — Story of Turnus 
— "War "with the Volsci and Sabines — Fruitless attempt to 
take the City of Gabii — Stratagem of Sextus Tarquinius — 
Betrayal of the Gabians — Prodigy seen at the Building of 
the Temple of Jupiter — Story of the Sibyl — Brutus the re- 
puted Simpleton — Story of Lucretia — ^The Oath of Brutus 
and his Companions — Effects of Lucretia's Death upon the 
People — Banishment of Tarquinius and his Family — Change 
in the Government of Rome — Collatinus is m^ged to leave 
the City — Conspiracy against the Government — Execution 
of the Sons of Brutus — Tarquinius attempts to Recover his 
Crown, with the aid of the Veientians and Tarquinians — 
Death of Brutus — ^Victory of the Romans — Porsenna — Fears 
of the Senate — Death of Tarquinius. 



"^^Si.-^^ *J 



V 







BRUTUS AND HIS COMPANIONS. p 957. 



TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS. 

FROM 532 TO 50*7 B.C. 



VII. 

TAKQumirs Supekbus, or Tarquin tlie Proud, 
was thus named because of the imperious air 
which he assumed upon all occasions, both 
public and private. It never seemed to be 
his object to gain the affections of his sub- 
jects, but rather to inspire them with terror ; 
and this was doubtless his only course, for 
what value would be attached to the profes- 
sions of a man who could seek power by shed- 
ding the blood of his friends and kindred, 
and by various acts which manifested a total 
want of humanity. 

Tarquinius began his reign in fear and 
trembling. The dead body of his brother 
Aruns, and the blood of his father-in-law, 
Servius, startled him at every moment ; and 
the dread of poison and the assassin's dagger 
tormented him to such a degree that, for some 



260 Stoeies of Rome. 

time, lie scarcely ventured beyond the walls 
of his own dwelling ; nor did he suffer any 
one to come into his presence except such as 
he had himself sent for. One of the first acts 
of his reign was the creation of a large body- 
guard, composed of the most daring men, 
both natives and foreigners. These he armed 
with swords and spears, and, having secured 
their frien'dship by large rewards, caused 
them to be stationed around his palace at 
night, and, in the daytime, to attend him 
wheresoever he chose to go. As soon as 
he felt himself sufficiently secure to venture 
in public, he did it, but only when least 
expected to be seen. His councils of State 
were held, not in the Forum, but in his own 
palace, and none were admitted except those 
upon whose friendship he could depend. 

Although much withdrawn from the public, 
still Tarquinius, by means of the spies in his 
employ, was well acquainted with everything 
that transpired within his kingdom. "With 
great eagerness he inquired each day as to 
the conduct and sayings of such and such a 
Senator, and of such and such an influential 
citizen, and also as to the general opinion of 
the people concerning himself. The answers 
to his inquiries were often followed by acts 



Takquinius Supekbus. 261 

of the most cruel nature. Any person daring 
to express disapprobation of his course, or 
sympathy for the family of Servius, was forth- 
with charged with some fictitious crime and 
brought before the cruel king for trial. In 
many instances wealthy individuals were 
seized, simply for the sake of their property, 
and arraigned for crimes of which they were 
wholly innocent. Some were sentenced to 
death, others to banishment, and large for- 
tunes were confiscated every day and divided 
between the king and those whom he employ- 
ed in his heartless work. The motives of the 
king being finally understood, many men of 
power fled from the city before they could be 
condemned, knowing that no defence could 
save them if they should once fall under ac- 
cusation. 'Nov did all those whom the king 
hated receive a trial ; some were seized and 
murdered in their own houses, and others dis- 
appeared in such a mysterious manner that no 
track or trace of them could ever be found. 
Having rid himself in this manner of all the 
Senators who expressed the least dissatisfac- 
tion, he determined to throw the whole body 
into contempt by refusing to fill the places of 
those whom he had taken from it. ]N^or did 
he stop here : the Senators who were left were 



262 Stokies of Rome. 

deprived of nearly all their power, and, glad 
to save their lives and fortunes, rendered a 
forced obedience to this tyrannical ruler. 

This humbling of the Senate was regarded 
by the plebeians as a just punishment for the 
part which they had- taken in placing this 
tyrant upon the throne." But the plebeians 
too were destined to feel his severity ; for no 
sooner had he completely assumed all the 
powers of government, than he turned his at- 
tention to altering and amending the institu- 
tions of his predecessors. 

The laws of Servius, by which justice was 
equally administered to all the citizens, and 
by which they were secured against injury 
from the patricians, were all taken away, and 
even the tables upon which they were written 
were carried out of the Forum and destroyed. 
The law, also, which provided that each citizen 
should be taxed in projDortion to the value of 
his property, was abolished ; and the rich and 
the poor were all compelled to contribute an 
equal amount to the public treasures. This 
occasioned a great deal of suffering, and 
many of the poorer classes were stripped of 
almost all their possessions. To guard against 
secret conspiracies, he forbade the holding of 
those public assemblies to which the people 



Taequinius Supeebus. 263 

of the city and country were accustomed to 
resort for the purpose of engaging in religious 
ceremonies and sacrifices, l^ov was this all ; 
for by the power which he obtained through 
bribery and threats, he was able to compel 
multitudes of the 230or to labor, merely for 
their food, at the building of temples and 
other public works which he undertook with 
great vigor. Some were employed in cutting 
down timber, others in driving the wagons 
which carried it ; some bore heavy burdens 
on their shoulders ; others were obliged to 
engage in digging subterraneous passages 
and conduits for the water ; founders, car- 
penters and masons were taken away from 
the private work upon which they were em- 
ployed and constrained to labor in the public 
service. For all these evils, there seemed to 
be no remedy, for the patricians were pleased 
to see the common people oppressed, and the 
common people were not sorry that the patri- 
cians had been robbed of their power. 

Though Tarquinius seems to have shown 
but little disposition to secure the afiection 
of his own subjects, he did not neglect to 
strengthen himself by foreign alliances. Ac- 
cordingly he made every effort to gain the 
friendship of Octavius Mamilius, a man of the 



264 Stories of Home. 

greatest power and renown through ont the 
whole Latin nation. Everywhere he was held 
in the highest esteem for his prudence in civil 
affairs, and for his skill and valor in war. Tar- 
quinius did not strive in vain ; and having 
given his daughter in marriage to Mamilius, 
he secured his favor together with that of the 
most considerable magistrates in every city. 

Feeling himself strengthened by these alii-' 
ances, he resolved to try his fortune in foreign 
wars, and accordingly made active prepara- 
tions to march against the Sabines, who re- 
fused to obey his orders, because, as they 
alleged, the death of Servius had disengaged 
them from their treaties. With this resolution, 
he sent messengers to the different Latin cities 
who summoned their chiefs to meet at Teren- 
tina, for the purpose of consulting upon mat- 
ters of very great importance to the public. 
Agreeably to his invitation, they came in 
large numbers, somewhat surprised at the 
summons and anxious to know for what im- 
portant purpose he had convened them. 

At an early hour on the appointed day, they 
assembled in the place which he had indi- 
cated to them, and passed the whole morning 
in momentary expectation of the king's ar- 
rival ; but Tarquinius did not make his ap- 



Tarquinius Superbus. 265 

pearance. Many were dissatisfied, and some 
openly expressed their disapprobation of his 
conduct. Still they continued at their posts, 
hoping that a satisfactory explanation would 
be sent to them. But Tarquinius did not come 
to them, and the day was already nearly gone. 
Having no business whatever to occupy their 
time, and feeling much mortified by such 
treatment from the king, they finally began 
to talk loudly and boldly of the matter. Some 
ventured one opinion and some another, when 
finally Tern us Herdonius, an Arician, and a 
rival of Mamilius, arose and advised that they 
should all return home, inveighing, at the 
same time, in the most bitter terms against 
Tarquinius. "It is not a matter of astonish- 
ment," said he, "that this king should be 
surnamed the Proicd^ and, certainly his con- 
duct to-day, merits a much harsher name. 
Can any instance be given of greater pride 
than this trifiing with the whole Latin nation? 
What does he mean by calling its chiefs from 
such a distance, and then absenting himself 
from their assembly ? Is it for the purpose 
of making a trial of our patience, with a view 
to crushing us if we submit ? Who does not 
plainly see that he is aiming at sovereignty 
over the Latins ? But no, my countrymen ; 



266 Stokies of Rome. 

let us not suffer this foreigner, this parricide, 
to have dominion over us, for if he could ex- 
pose his own subjects to, murder, and banish- 
ment and confiscations, what better prospect 
could the Latins entertain under such a ruler? 
It is my advice, that we all return to our own 
homes, and pay no more regard to the day 
of assembly than this proud king who has 
appointed it." 

This speech had much effect upon those 
present, but Mamilius arising, made such an 
eloquent reply and succeeded so well in ex- 
cusing Tarquinius, that they all consented to 
adjourn until the following day. Assembling 
again according to agreement, Tarquinius 
made his appearance, excusing himself for 
his absence on the preceding day, and, stating 
at once his reason for calling them together. 
This was nothing more nor less than to per- 
suade them to aid him in his projDOsed inva- 
sion of the Sabine territory. 'No sooner had 
Tarquinius finished speaking, than Turnus 
arose and began to censure him, in the most 
violent manner, for not appearing at the as- 
sembly on the day appointed. He also ob- 
jected to all the plans which the king propos- 
ed, and disputed his claim to the sovereignty 
or even to the friendship of the Latin people. 



Tarquinius Supeebus. 267 

He fearlessly proclaimed Mm an usurper, a 
tyrant, and a murderer, saying that it would 
be folly and madness to expect anything good 
and beneficent from such a wicked and impi- 
ous man, and was about leaving the assembly. 
" Stop, Turnus," said Tarquinius, "and listen 
to the reasons which you compel me to urge 
for what seems to be an extraordinary piece 
of conduct on my part. You yourself shall 
be the judge in this matter ; for you certainly 
did once acquit me of your accusations, when 
you asked my daughter in marriage. Did 
my rejection of your suit add truth to the 
charges made against me, or^ are you now 
influenced by resentment only ? But, Turnus, 
I shall show that your base designs are not 
formed against me alone ! You, Patricians ! 
and you. Chieftains of the Latin nation, are 
all exposed to the schemes of this wicked 
man ! 'Nor is there a magistrate in any of 
your cities, that this demagogue does not 
mean to sacrifice to his selfish purposes. He 
has come to this assembly with no other in- 
tention. I do not speak from conjecture only, 
but from certain knowledge which I received 
from one of the accomplices of his conspiracy ; 
and I can give incontestable proof of what I 
say, by showing, at his lodgings, arms -which 



268 Stories of Home. 

lie has there concealed for the destruction of 
this assembly." 

The greatest confusion followed this an- 
nouncement. The friends and enemies of 
Turnus, alike demanded the evidence of the 
charge. Turnus, too, loudly called for an ex- 
amination of his lodging, declaring that he 
was willing to suffer death if the accusation 
could be sustained, and urged that the same 
punishment should be inflicted upon the ac- 
cuser, if he failed to prove what he had said. 
Tarquinius readily assented to this, for he was 
too cunning to bring such a charge, without 
making himself sm'e of being able to substan- 
tiate it. In fact, he had been so irritated by 
what Turnus had said on the previous day, 
that he immediately resolved upon the de- 
struction of the bold Arician, and by bribing 
his servants, had succeeded in introducing a 
large quantity of arms into his apartments, 
with a view to accusing him, as above re- 
lated. 

The persons appointed to investigate the 
matter, having repaired to the lodgings of 
Turnus, were not long in discovering the arms 
concealed among his baggage. Without a 
moment's delay, they caused Turnus to be 
seized and loaded with chains ; then carrying 



Tarquinius Supeebus. 269 

the arms to the place of assembly, they threw 
them down in the midst of the astonished 
Latins. Upon beholding these evidences of 
crime, such a tumult arose, that a trial of the 
case became impossible, and Turnus, without 
being able to say one word in his own defence, 
was hurried away and thi'own into a reservoir 
of water, where, stones having been heaped 
upon him, he was speedily drowned. 

Thus, Tarquinius succeeded in. his diaboli- 
cal scheme, adding another crime to the long 
catalogue already written against him. Far 
from feeling the least remorse, he seemed to 
experience the liveliest gratification at his 
success, and received the compliments of the 
assembly, as if he had really been the means 
of saving their lives, and conferring a benefit 
upon the Latin nation. "Without the least de- 
lay, they all united in acknowledging him as 
their sovereign, upon the same terms as they 
had formerly acknowledged Servius ; and, a 
treaty having been formed and graven upon 
pillars, they departed for their respective 
homes. 

Tarquinius was not unambitious of military 
fame, nor was his knowledge of war by any 
means contemptible. On the other hand, he 
might have equalled, perhaps surpassed, the 



270 Stoeies of Rome. 

glory of his predecessors, had the baseness and 
wickedness of his character been less glaring. 
Some cities of the Yolsci, having refused to 
enter into alliance with him, he made war 
upon them, and took by storm, Suessa Pometia, 
from which he realized a very large booty. 
All that he found in arms were put to death ; 
and a large number were carried prisoners to 
Rome. The gold and silver which he here 
amassed, were laid aside with the design of 
building a temple to Jupiter. 

Soon after this, even while his army was 
still at Suessa, he received intelligence that 
the Sabines were ravaging the Roman terri- 
tories. Without any delay, he made the 
necessary preparations and marched out 
against them. Meeting them near Eretum, 
he gave them battle, and, pursuing every ad- 
vantage with skill and vigor, soon achieved 
the destruction of their army. So successful 
was he upon almost every occasion, that, both 
at home and abroad, he was regarded as a 
brave and accomplished general. 

Notwithstanding his skill, Tarquinius was 
baffled by the Gabians in all his attempts to 
capture their city. Gabii was a town about 
twelve miles distant from Rome ; and tradi- 
tion informs us that it was the place where 



Tarquinius Supekbus. 271 

Komulus and Remus were educated. This 
city had become very odious to Tarquinius, 
because it had given protection to many of 
his enemies, and especially to the banished 
citizens of Rome. A conspiracy was even 
formed there against the tyrant ; and it is said 
that many of the principal men among the 
Gabians, were active in promoting it. 

Tarquinius, whose spies penetrated every 
place, soon became aware of his danger, and 
collecting a large army, marched against the 
city. Fight after fight occurred, but Tar- 
quinius gained no advantage. The Gabians 
were resolute in their defence, and the Ro- 
mans battered with no effect against their 
well-protected walls. Weary of his useless 
efforts, and convinced that stratagem alone 
could achieve his purpose, Tarquinius with- 
drew his troops, and returned to Rome. 

That he might more completely deceive his 
foes, he pretended to be wholly occupied with 
the building of temples and the construction 
of various public works. In the meantime he 
schemed for the destruction of Gabii, but be- 
fore he was able to devise a proper stratagem 
Sextus Tarquinius, his eldest son, a bold un- 
principled man, formed a design which was 
so pleasiug to his father that they both enter- 



272 Stokies of Rome. 

ed immediately upon its execution. It was 
in this manner they proceeded : 

Tarquinius, a few days after their arrange- 
ments were completed, pretended to fall into 
a violent rage with Sextus, and ordered him 
to be publicly whipped with rods in the 
Forum. Those who inflicted the punishment 
were, of course, instructed as to its applica- 
tion, and so likewise, were a number of their 
trusty friends whom the king, with a great 
display of wrath, drove summarily from the 
city. These friends went with all haste to 
Gabii, and there reported what had befallen 
both Sextus and themselves. Their story was 
subsequently confirmed, and the Gabians, 
pleased to hear that the king's son had open- 
ly rebelled, immediately offered him an asy- 
lum, hoping thereby to derive some great ad- 
vantage. Sextus accordingly fled to Gabii, 
carrying with him, for the sake of deception, 
a large quantity of gold and silver. 

By vehemently inveighing against his father, 
and by freely bestowing his money upon the 
Gabians, he had little difficulty in securing 
their confidence. Many of the citizens flocked 
to him from Rome, pretending to fly from the 
tyranny of Tarquinius ; and in a very short 
time he had a strong body of men under his 



Takqijinius Supeebus. 273 

command. All this was a matter of great 
gratification to the Gabians, who regarded 
these j)retended deserters as so much addi- 
tional strength to their citj. They imagined, 
in fact, that the time was at hand when they 
shonld humble the proud usurper of Rome, 
and achieve a conquest which would render 
them the envy and terror of all their neigh- 
bors. In this delusion they were more and 
more confirmed by the conduct of Sextus, 
who took every opportunity to make incur- 
sions into his father's territories, whence he 
always returned with a large amount of booty. 
J^or did Tarquinius neglect these opportuni- 
ties to get rid of such citizens as he suspected, 
for it was always these whom he sent in small 
numbers to repel Sextus, knowing that they 
would meet with inevitable destruction. 

It was not long before the whole Gabian 
army was placed under the command of Sex- 
tus. This being the position which he sought, 
he immediately sent one of his followers to 
his father, both to inform him of his elevation 
and to receive instructions as to his future 
course. The person who was thus commis- 
sioned, having delivered his message to Tar- 
quinius, was unable to obtain the least reply. 
Lingering, however, about the palace in hopes 

18 



274: Stoeies of Rome. 

of receiving an answer, he managed to obtain 
an entrance into the royal garden. Here, 
meeting with the king, he renewed the sub- 
ject of his mission, earnestly entreating him 
to ftirnish the instructions which Sextus had 
requested. Still Tarquinius, hesitating, per- 
haj)s, to trust him, preserved the utmost 
silence. The messenger, anxioT»is to depart, 
continued his solicitations, ^vhen the king, as 
if vexed by his importunity, strode towards a 
bed of poppies, and began to strike off their 
heads, selecting always such as were most 
remarkable for their height and beauty. 
Having employed himself for a few moments 
in tliis manner, he turned to the astonished 
messenger and told him fiercely to be gone. 

Keturning to Gabii, the messenger related 
to Sextus all that had happened, not forget- 
ting to mention the havoc made by the king 
among his most beautiful poppies. This sin- 
gular conduct was intelligible enough to Sex- 
tus, who understood that the city of Gabii 
was denoted by the bed of poppies, and the 
destruction of its principal men, b}" the havoc 
which the king had made among the tallest 
flowers. Laying his plans in accordance with 
these enigmatical instructions, he soon suc- 
ceeded in bringing many of the most promi- 



Taeqijinitjs Superbus. 275 

nent- Gabians within his power. While some 
were accused of, and punished for, the basest 
crimes, others were secretly murdered or 
driven by fear into voluntary banishment. 
JS^either the denial of a charge, nor submis- 
sion to an examination ever availed any one 
whom he had marked out for destruction. 
Accusations of sedition or conspiracy were 
always sustained by the most incontestable 
evidence, and the city of Gabii became the 
theatre of repeated and bloody executions. 

Tarquinius being a]3prized of all that trans- 
pired among the Gabians, collected his army, 
and, watching a favorable opportunity, ap- 
proached their city during the middle .of the 
night. ITothing opposed his progress. Even 
the gates, which were under the command of 
Sextus, flew open to admit him ; and, quietly 
marching his army within the walls, he be- 
came, finally, master of a place which had 
hitherto resisted the force of his arms. 

The Gabians yielded without resistance, 
though the well-known character of their con- 
queror gave them no hope of favor. Tarquin- 
ius, however, notwithstanding his perfidy and 
cruelty, sometimes made a show of humanity 
for the sake of his own interests. He knew 
very well that the Gabians, being now de- 



276 Stokies of Rome. 

prived of their leaders, could, by generous 
treatment, be brought into an alliance with 
him. Experience, too, was daily teaching 
him that he had less to fear, and niore to hope 
from his allies, than from his own subjects. 
It is not, therefore, wonderful that, instead of 
severity, he should show mildness and gener- 
osity towards them. This, in fact, he did ; 
for he neither. put to death, nor banished any 
of the Gabians, nor punished any of them 
with ignominy, or the loss of their fortunes. 
His anxiety to conciliate them, prompted him 
even to restore their city to them, and to grant 
them the rights and privileges of Roman citi- 
zens. A treaty of mutual friendship was en- 
tered into and confirmed by the most solemn 
oaths. Sextus was created king of Gabii, and 
the citizens, swearing that they would protect 
and obey him, Tarquinius withdrew his army 
and returned to Rome. 

It will be remembered, that the erection of 
the temple of Jupiter on the Tarpeian Mount, 
was interrupted by the death of Tarquinius 
Priscus. The present Tarquinius, feeling some- 
what secure both at home and abroad, now de- 
termined to complete the work undertaken by 
his grandfather. When the foundation of 
this temple was commenced, the stability of 



Tarquinius Supeebus. 277 

Rome was indicated by the refusal of the god 
Terminus, to have his altar removed for its 
accommodation ; now, upon the re-commence- 
ment of the same, this indication was con- 
firmed by a wonderful prodigy. 

It became necessary to dig very deep in a 
certain place, for the greater security of the 
foundation; and it is said that one of the 
workmen in the course of his operations, 
found, buried in the earth, the head of a man, 
with a face warm and life-like, and bleeding 
as if just separated from the body. Terrified 
at the sight, he, together with his companions 
fled from the place ; and the prodigy having 
been related to the king, he ordered the Ro- 
man soothsayers to repair to the spot, and in- 
quire into its signification. This they did, 
but being unable to agree, they called for the 
assistance of a celebrated Tyrrhenian sooth- 
sayer, who decided to the satisfaction of all, 
that the place in which the head was found, 
was ordained by fate to be the head of all 
Italy. Thenceforth, the Tarpeian Mount was 
called the CapitoUne Hill from the Latin 
word Caput signifying a head. 

The ancients entertained the belief, that 
certain females, inspired by Heaven, resided 
in different parts of the world. They were 



278 Stoeies op Eome. 

called Sibyls ; and, according to the best aii- 
tliorities, were ten in number. The most cel- 
ebrated of these, was the Cmngean Sibyl, of 
whom it is said, that Apollo becoming enam- 
ored, offered to give her whatever she should 
ask. Upon which, the Sibyl demanded to 
live as many years as she had grains of sand 
in her hand, forgetting, however, to ask for 
the enjoyment of health and bloom, of which 
she was then in possession. Her request was 
granted, but refusing to listen to the suit of 
Apollo, her longevity unaccompanied by 
freshness and beauty, proved a burden rather 
than a benefit. After an existence of thir- 
teen hundred years, she is said to have with- 
ered away, and to have become a mere voice. 
It is related that one of these Sibyls came 
to the palace of Tarquinius with nine volumes 
which she offered to sell to him for a very ex- 
orbitant price. The king not knowing who 
she was, laughed at her simplicity and de- 
clined making the jjurchase. Upon which 
she went away, burned three of the books, 
and, returning, demanded the same price for 
the remaining six. The king, laughing more 
heartily than before, still refused to buy. 
The Sibyl left him again, and, burning three 
more, again returned, offering the rest at the 



Taequinius Superbus. 279 

former price. Astonished at this extraordina- 
ry conduct, Tarqninius summoned the augurs 
and by their advice bought the books ; where- 
upon the Sibyl disappeared and was never 
after seen. These books were said to contain 
the admonitions and counsels of the gods, 
and, being regarded as a special favor sent 
by them to the Romans, they were preserved 
with great care and called the Sibylline verses. 
A college of priests was appointed to take 
charge of them, and they were consulted 
with the greatest solemnity when the State 
appeared to be in danger. 

Tarquinius seems to have been especially 
favored with prodigies of different kinds ; 
whether they were real, or brought about 
through his own instrumentality, is of little 
consequence ; certain it is that they had 
great influence upon the people, many of 
whom regarded them as evidences of the high 
esteem in which he was held by the gods. 

The story of another of these prodigies 
brings us into acquaintance with Lucius 
Junius Brutus, whose courage and eloquence 
was mainly instrumental in destroying kingly 
authority in Rome, and establishing in its 
place a Republican form of government. 

While the king was one day in his palace 



280 Stoeies of Eome. 

conversing witli some friends, a huge serpent 
issuing from the centre of one of the columns 
which supported the edifice, produced such 
terror as to drive them from the place. Such 
an extraordinary apparition was of course 
looked upon as a communication from the 
gods ; and Tarquinius imagining it to be one 
of importance, determined to ascertain its 
meaning from one of the most celebrated 
oracles in the world. This oracle was at 
Delphi, in Greece, and thither he at once 
sent his two youngest sons, Titus and Aruns, 
accompanied by Lucius Junius Brutus, the 
son of his sister Tarquinia. 

Brutus was a man who possessed not only 
courage, but rare mental endowments ; yet 
his reputation was that of a good-natured 
simpleton, fit only for the amusement of a 
traveller or the jests of a courtier. His name, 
in fact, signified imbecility. While he was 
still quite young, Tarquinius caused his father 
and eldest brother to be put to death. Brutus 
perceiving that his uncle did not hesitate to 
destroy such as were in possession either of 
wealth or talents, pretended to lack ordinary 
intelligence, and submitted his fortunes to 
the rapacity of the king. Adorned with the 



Taequinius Supeebtjs. 281 

baubles of a fool he was given to the young 
princes as a companion of their sports. 

When Titus and Aruns went by direction 
of their father to Delphi, they took Brutus to 
divert them on the road. It was customary 
for those who consulted the oracle to make 
presents to the presiding divinity. The 3^oung 
princes were accordingly furnished with ele- 
gant gifts, while Brutus carried a wand of 
cornel-wood as emblematic of his own condi- 
tion. This wand having been secretly hol- 
lowed and filled with gold, proved to be a 
more .acceptable oifering than those brought 
by Titus and Aruns. Brutus w^as in high 
favor, and the answers of the oracle were 
suited to his actual condition and not to his 
assumed capacity. 

The king's sons having asked the meaning 
of the prodigy seen by their father, were told 
in reply that '' the king would fall when a dog 
should speak with a human voice." ITot very 
much enlightened by this answer, they deter- 
mined to inquire which of them should re- 
ceive the kingdom of Rome. Their question 
was no sooner asked than a voice from the 
bottom of the . cave replied : " Young men, 
whichever of you shall first kiss your mother, 
he shall possess the sovereign power of 



282 Stokies of Rome. 

Rome." The two princes giving a literal in- 
terpretation to this answer, drew lots for the 
crown ; but Brutus concluding that the ex- 
pression had a hidden meaning, stumbled, as 
if by accident, and kissed the earth, which he 
considered the common mother of all man- 
kind. 

After a long absence they returned to Rome, 
where they found the most active preparations 
going on for a war against the Rutulians. 
Tarquinius pretended that Ardea, the capital 
of this nation, had given refuge to certain 
Roman fugitives, and for this reason declared 
war against it. This accusation may not have 
been wholly without foundation, still it was 
cupidity rather than revenge that prompted 
Tarquinius ; for Ardea was a city containing 
great wealth, and the treasury of the Roman 
king was nearly exhausted by the magnifi- 
cence of his public works. It was in hopes, 
therefore, of replenishing his coffers, and also 
of reconciling, by means of spoils, the minds 
of his dissatisfied subjects, that he undertook 
this war. 

Ardea being a well-fortified towo, the at- 
tempt to take it by storm proved unsuccessful ; 
Tarquinius, therefore, determined to weary 
the enemy into submission by a blockade. 



Taequinius Supekbtjs. 283 

As this mode of warfare did not require the 
unremitted attention of those who conducted 
it, leave of absence was frequently granted to 
the soldiers and especially to the officers. The 
young men of the royal family in particular 
spent their leisure hours in feasting and en- 
tertainments. 

It happened on a certain occasion that sev- 
eral of them met at the quarters of Sextus 
Tarquinius, the king's eldest son. After sup- 
ping together and becoming somewhat heated 
with wine, they began to boast, in a meriy 
way, about their respective wives. Each one 
extolled his own to the skies, declaring her 
to be the most virtuous and industrious in the 
world. The dispute growing quite animated, 
CoUatinus Tarquinius, a relative of the king, 
cried out that there was no need whatever of 
farther words ; that it could be ascertained 
in a few hours how much his Lucretia was 
superior to all other women. " Come," said 
he, " we are young and strong ; let us mount 
our horses and inspect in person the behavior 
of our wives. The unexpected arrival of a 
husband will be an unexceptionable proof." 
" Agreed, agreed," exclaimed each one pres- 
ent, and away they sped, as fast as their 
horses could carry them, to Rome. Arriving 



284 Stoeies of Rome. 

here, they visited together their respective 
homes ; but the king's daughters-in-law were 
found spending their time in luxurious enter- 
tainments among those of their own rank. 

CoUatinus resided at Collatia, a few miles 
distant from Rome ; thither, therefore, the 
youths proceeded in order to prove what he 
had declared concerning his own Lucretia. 
Arriving there at evening, they found her, 
notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, seat- 
ed in the midst of her maids and zealously 
employed in spinning her wool. Though her 
guests were entirely unexpected, yet they were 
not made the less welcome, for the industrious 
Lucretia was always prepared for the enter- 
tainment of her visitors. Setting before them 
an excellent and abundant meal, and gracing 
it with her presence and conversation, they 
declared unanimously that she was the most 
charming of women and the most desirable 
of wives. 

Among these guests there was one, who, 
overpowered by the charms of Lucretia, re- 
solved upon a crime of the basest nature. 
This was Sextus Tarquinius, the king's eldest 
son, whose conduct towards the Gabians prov- 
ed him to be a man capable of any crime. 
'Not many days after their visit to Lucretia, 



Tarquinius Supeebus. 285 

Sextus, without the knowledge of Collatinus 
went to Collatia, attended only hj a single 
servant. Lucretia received him as the friend 
of her husband, and treated him with all the 
respect due to his station. Nothing which 
could contribute to his comfort was forgotten, 
and when night approached he was conducted 
to a magnificent apartment prepared expressly 
for the accommodation of guests. 

"When every one was wrapped in sleep he 
stole from his room, and with sword in hand 
proceeded to the chamber of Lucretia. Hav- 
ing obtained entrance, he urged her to abjure 
Collatinus and accept the proffer of his own 
hand. Finding that she spurned him with 
contempt, he raised his sword and swore that 
unless she granted his wishes, he would, after 
slaying her, place the body of a murdered 
slave beside her, and thus confirm a story 
which should forever blast her character. 
Lucretia submitted, for she preferred life with 
the prospect of revenge, rather than death 
with an accusation which she could not dis- 
prove. 

Sextus having accomplished his purpose 
returned to the camp ; and Lucretia, as soon 
as she could sufficiently recover from her 
grief and terror, despatched a messenger to 



286 Stoeies of Rome. 

her father at Rome, and to her hnshand at 
Ardea, with an urgent request that they would 
immediately come to her, each accompanied 
by a faithful friend. 

As soon thereafter as possible, they both 
appeared ; her father accompanied by Publius 
Yalerius, and her husband by Lucius Junius 
Brutus, the reputed fool, who happened to be 
with him when he received his wife's message. 
Anxious to know the cause of this unexpected 
summons, they hastened at once to the apart- 
ment of Lucretia, whom they found sitting 
upon the floor a prey to the most bitter an- 
guish. "Is all well, Lucretia?" asked her 
husband, approaching her. " Far from it," 
said Lucretia, bursting into tears, " for how 
can it be well with a woman who hath lost 
her purity? Ah, Collatinus, treachery and 
force have combined to rob thee of a hus- 
band's rights. Though the sanctuary hath 
been violated, the spirit within is pure and 
spotless and as fervently thy own. The truth 
of what I say must be attested by a bloody 
seal; but first, give me, one and all, your 
right hands, and swear that the destroyer of 
my peace shall not go unpunished. It is Sex- 
tus Tarquinius who hath usurped thy preroga- 
tive, oh, Collatinus ! and carried sorrow into 



Takqtjinius Supeebtjs. 287 

thy houseliold ! If ye be men, swear that he 
shall not escape." 

After listening in horror to her story, they 
all swore that Sextus should be brought to 
speedy punishment, and endeavored to com- 
fort the distracted mind of Lucretia. All 
united in acquitting her of any blame, and in 
asserting that sin was in the intention only, 
not in the act. " It is your concern," replied 
she, "to punish the offender; as for me, 
though I am innocent of crime, yet it shall 
never be said, that Lucretia survived the 
greatest wrong that could be offered to wo- 
man." Saying which, she plunged into her 
heart, a knife which she had concealed under 
her garment, and, falling on the wound, 
died instantly. 

All rushed forward to save her ; but in 
vain. The vital spark had fled ere they 
were able to lift her from the ground, and 
they could do no more than sob and shed their 
tears upon her bleeding body. 

Brutus, the half-witted Brutus, as they call- 
ed him, was the first to control his grief. 
Springing towards the body of Lucretia, he 
snatched from the wound the bloody knife, 
and raising it slowly to his lips, exclaimed, 
witji look and voice which he had never be- 



288 Stoeies of Rome. 

fore exhibited, "Bj this blood most chaste, 
until injured by royal insolence, I swear, 
and call you, oh ye gods, to witness, that I 
will prosecute to destruction, by sword, fire, 
and every possible means in my power, both 
Lucius Tarquinius the proud, and his impious 
wife, together with their entire race, and never 
will sufier one of them, nor any other person 
whatsoever, to be king in Rome ! Lay aside 
your grief, CoUatinus ; kiss this sacred knife, 
and swear as I have sworn ; kiss it, Lucretius, 
and you too, Yalerius. The blood of Lucretia 
shall purge the palaces of Rome." 

They could not conceal the astonishment 
with which they gazed into the flashing eyes 
of Brutus, yet each in turn received the knife, 
swore and kissed it; and with looks intent 
upon their self-constituted leader, submitted 
to his directions. " Let the body be taken to 
the Forum, and let the people be assembled," 
muttered Brutus. "Without a moment's delay, 
they took it in their arms, and bore it, yet 
warm and bleeding, through the streets of 
Collatia, followed by a large and curious 
crowd. Arrived at the place of public meet- 
ing, Brutus tore the dress from the bleeding 
bosom of Lucretia, and pointing to the ghast- 
ly wound, recounted the baseness of Sextus, 



Taequinius Sijpeebus. 289 

and the wickedness of the king and queen. 
The beautiful picture which he drew of the 
virtuous Lucretia, surrounded by her happy 
household ; the wretchedness into which that 
household had been thrown ; the power with 
which he exhibited the crime of Sextus, and 
the baseness of his father and mother, so 
inflamed the people, that with one voice they 
declared, that Rome should no longer submit 
to such a tyranny. 

Stationing a sufficient guard at the gates of 
Collatia, he caused the body of Lucretia to be 
placed upon a bier covered with black cloth, 
and, accompanied by a suitable number of 
attendants, proceeded with it to Home. Such 
an extraordinary arrival did not fail to attract 
universal attention, and here too, the proces- 
sion was soon followed by a large concourse. 
The revolting story was speedily circulated, 
and by the time the mournful cortege had 
reached the Forum, every one was hastening 
thither, eager to know its termination. 

Brutus was the orator again ; and here they 
listened to him with the same attention as at 
Collatia. ISTor was his story now less touch- 
iug ; nor were the enormities of the prince ex- 
hibited in less glaring colors ; nor was the 
wickedness of the king and queen portrayed 

19 



290 Stokies of Rome. 

in feebler terms. Sorrow and pity were speed- 
ily followed by anger ; and rage finally rose 
to such a pitch, that the multitude cried out 
vehemently against their rulers, and declared 
that they would unite in overthrowing them. 

The most vociferous demands were made for 
arms ; and Brutus was earnestly implored to 
lead them against their bloody tyrant and his 
inhuman sons. Delighted to find the people 
in this disposition, but at the same, decided 
as to the course necessary to be pursued, he 
thus replied to them. " First listen to the 
advice which I and my coadjutors would give ; 
for we have determined that Tarquinius and 
all his posterity shall be banished from Rome, 
and from all the territories belonging to the 
Romans * that no person shall presume to say 
or do anything tending to their restoration ; 
and if anybody shall be found to have acted 
contrary to these determinations, he shall be 
put to death. If you are of opinion that this 
resolution be confirmed, divide yourselves into 
your curiae, give your votes, and let the en- 
joyment of this right, taken from you by the 
tyrant, be the beginning of your liberties." 

With as little delay as possible, a vote was 
taken, and declared unanimous in favor of 
banishing the tyrants. Upon its announce- 



Takqtjinius Superbus. 291 

mentj Brutus again stood up and thus ad- 
dressed the people. " Since you have con- 
firmed the first resolution, in such a manner 
as became you, hear also what we have fur- 
ther resolved concerning our form of govern- 
ment. After we had considered what magis- 
tracy should be invested with the sovereign 
power, we came to a resolution to choose no 
more kings, but to appoint two annual magis- 
trates, to be vested with the kingly power. 
If this also is agreeable to your wishes, con- 
firm it by your votes." 

Hereupon, another vote of the people was 
taken, resulting as before, in the adoption of 
the suggestion of Brutus. Kising immediate- 
ly, he nominated Spurius Lucretius as inter- 
rex, to preside at the election to be held in 
accordance with the laws in such case provi- 
ded. Lucretius, having receiyed the appoint- 
ment, dismissed the assembly, and at the same 
time, ordered the people to meet at the usual 
place for the purpose of electing magistrates. 
Convening agreeably to his command, he rec- 
ommended two persons whom he esteemed 
in every way worthy, and well fitted to per- 
form the functions heretofore belonging to the 
king. These persons were Brutus and Colla- 
tinus, whose names were received with the 



292 Stories of Rome. 

greatest applause. Their election was unani- 
mous ; and thus, in a very short time and 
with scarcely any premeditation, the govern- 
ment of Rome was entirely changed. The 
shackles of tyranny were thrown off, and the 
people once more began to taste the pleasures 
of freedom. 

It must not be forgotten that TuUia, the in- 
famous queen, was in Rome during the oc- 
currence of these events. The spies, whom 
she kept constantly in her employ, soon 
brought her intelligence of what was going 
on. At the expiration of every hour she per- 
ceived that her situation was becoming more 
and more critical, and, by the advice of those 
who still adhered to her, she finally resolved 
to flee from Rome. Concealing her person as 
well as possible, she mounted her chariot and 
drove rapidly fuom the palace. Her conceal- 
ment however was of little advantage. The 
populace, recognizing her equipage, ran be- 
hind her, and, accompanying their curses 
with sticks and stones, fairly drove her from 
the city. 

ITor was Tarquinius ignorant of the revolu- 
tion that was taking place. Although in his 
camp at Ardea, twenty miles distant, yet the 
unwelcome tidings reached him. The words 



Taequinius Supeebus. 293 

of the Delphic oracle flashed across his mind : 
" The king shall fall when a dog shall speak 
with a human voice," and for the first time 
he perceived the meaning of the language. 
" This dog may be whipped into silence," 
muttered Tarquinius, as he gave orders for 
his horse and a chosen band to attend him. 
Giving no one notice of his intentions, away 
he sped to Rome, hoping to quell the tumult 
which Brutus had provoked. 

Reaching the city, he found the gates 
closed against him, and applying for admis- 
sion, it was peremptorily denied with a warn- 
ing to depart. Thus convinced -of the des- 
iderate condition of his affairs, and judging 
discretion to be the better part of valor, he 
turned his horse's head and flew back in- 
glorious to the camp. 

But hence also he was destined to be 
driven ; for, during his ride to Rome, letters 
had been received from the Consuls, ac- 
quainting the army with the votes of the 
people, and exhorting them to revolt against 
the tyrant. The soldiers having remained a 
long time idle around the walls of Ardea, 
were ready to be pleased with excitement of 
any kind, and this intelligence and these ex- 
hortations meeting their approval, they de- 



294 Stoeies of Rome. 

cided at once to conj&rm the vote of their fel- 
lows at Rome. When, therefore, Tarquinius 
returned heated and fatigued to his camp, 
the soldiers gathered in the most insolent 
manner about him, and after ridiculing and 
tormenting him beyond endurance, ordered 
him to remount his horse and seek shelter in 
some other quarters. 

Here kingly government, after an existence 
of two hundred and forty-four years, may be 
said to have terminated. There are, however, 
some incidents in the life of Tarquinius, which, 
notwithstanding their connection with the 
history of the Republic, may, with propriety, 
be mentioned in this place. 

Tarquinius fled to Caere, a city of the Etru- 
rians, accompanied by his sons Titus and 
Aruns. His eldest son, Sextus, went back to 
the Gabians, whom he had so basely betray- 
ed. The story of his father's downfall having 
soon followed him, the Gabians resolved to 
lose no time in revenging the injuries which 
they had received at his hands. JSTot a single 
arm was lifted in behalf of the traitor, and 
Sextus received the punishmenj^ due for his 
crimes. 

In the meantime, the government of Rome 
was administered by the Consuls, Lucius Ju- 



Takquinius Supeebus. 295 

nius Brutus, and Lucius Tarquinius CoUatinus. 
The improvements which they daily made, in 
the condition of the people, were hailed with 
pleasure and gratitude. The abolition of 
monarchy was a theme for continual rejoicing ; 
but the people at last, became so fond of 
their liberty, and so apprehensive of losing it, 
that they even compelled their deliverer, Col- 
latinus, to banish himself from Rome, simply 
because he bore the name of their late king, 
Tarquinius. 

The people of Rome expected for a long 
time that Tarquinius, stirring up some of their 
jealous neighbors, would make an effort to re- 
cover his crown. While a very large majority 
of them were prepared to repel any effort of 
this kind, there were a few, who, having been 
accustomed to live in a manner inconsistent 
with the principles of their present govern- 
ment, would have welcomed a return of the 
former order of things. These consisted 
chiefly of the most reckless patricians and 
such persons as had been companions of the 
late king's sons. 

Tarquinius was now fast advancing in years, 
still his love of power was undiminished, and 
his facility in wickedness unimpaired. That 
he might ascertain the sentiments of the peo- 



296 Stories of Rome. 

pie towards him, lie despatched, on a certain 
occasion, several of his friends to Rome, under 
pretence of asking the Roman government to 
restore the property which he had been com- 
pelled to leave behind him. The Senate 
having listened to his application, deliberated 
several days before coming to any decision. 
In the meantime, the friends of Tarquinius 
went about among those whom they thought 
would be most favorable to their enterprise, 
and partly succeeded in laying a plot for 
overturning the government. 

This was of course a very hazardous under- 
taking ; but with much adroitness they man- 
aged to secure the co-operation of two or three 
influential men named Yitellii. The sister of 
these men, had, many years before, married 
the Consul Brutus, and there were two sons 
born of this marriage, and now grown up. 
Their names were Titus and Tiberius. These 
youths with many of the nobility, were easily 
persuaded by their uncles to join in the con- 
spiracy against the government. Everything- 
was conducted with the utmost secrecy ; and 
the conspirators entertained the strongest 
hopes that Tarquinius would be replaced upon 
the throne. Unfortunately for them, their 
conversation was one night overheard by a 



Takqdinius Supeebus. 297 

slave, and a strict watch having been set over 
them, they were all discovered and convicted 
of their crime. The property of Tarquinius, 
which the Senate had ordered to be restored, 
was immediately confiscated to the use of the 
State, and the envoys of the king, together 
with the young nobles and the sons of Brutus, 
were cast into chains. 

Brutus had hitherto shown great zeal in the 
service of his country, and extraordinary firm- 
ness in discharging the duties of his office. 
Was this zeal, this firmness to be shaken now? 
Was this a case in which he was to sacrifice 
the demands of justice to the feelings of a 
parent ? 

The day of trial came. Brutus sat upon the 
judgment seat. One by one, the envoys, the 
nobles, and his own sons were brought before 
him. The testimony was carefully produced 
and weighed. The envoys, the nobles, and 
his own sons were found guilty of the charges 
alleged against them ; and Brutus with a firm 
voice, sentenced them all to scourging and to 
death. The lictors immediately seized and 
bound them for their punishment. One by 
one, their naked backs were unmercifully 
beaten by the rods, and their heads struck off 
by the fatal axe. When, in turn, the sons of 



298 Stories of Rome. 

Brutus were brought forward to suffer sen- 
tence, the people in compassion for their youth, 
and willing to spare the anguish of their fa- 
ther, murmured in their behalf, and sought to 
have them pardoned ; but Brutus was inflexi- 
ble ; the bosom of a magistrate was no lodg- 
ing-place for the feelings of a father ; and, 
waving his hand in disapproval of their wishes, 
he ordered the lictors' to proceed. "Without 
leaving his seat or moving his eyes from the 
bloody scene, he watched the faithful execu- 
tion of the law ; and the headless bodies of 
his own sons passed in turn from the hands of 
the lictors. 

The execution being over, Brutus, still seat- 
ed on his throne, caused the slave who had 
discovered the conspiracy to be brought before 
him. Exhibiting him to the people, he spoke 
of the inestimable benefit which he had con- 
ferred upon the State, and exhorted all, in 
imitation of his example, to have a zealous 
eye for the public good ; then taking the vin- 
dicta or rod, he seized the slave, struck him 
on the back, and immediately letting him go, 
exclaimed " I pronounce this man free." The 
lictors foi^thwith took him, shaved his head, 
presented him the cap of liberty, and entered 
his name among the freemen of Rome. 



Tarquinius Superbus. 299 

Thougli Brutus had evinced an inconceiva- 
ble stoicism throughout the trial and execu- 
tion of his sons, his reason was almost over- 
thrown, and life at once became a burden of 
which he resolved to be speedily relieved. 
Thus far he had shown a devotion to his coun- 
try which man seldom exhibits ; now, he only 
waited for an opportunity to pour out his 
blood in its behalf. An opportunity was not 
long denied. 

The defeat of the conspiracy, was in due 
time reported to Tarquinius. Enraged beyond 
measure, at the failure of his enterprise, and 
convinced that stratagem would be of no avail, 
he determined to wage open war upon Rome. 
With this view, he went about among all the 
cities of Etruria, in the character of a suppli- 
ant, addressing himself especially to the peo- 
ple of Yeii and Tarquinii, beseeching them 
not to permit him, their own countryman, to 
perish with his sons before their eyes. With 
much eloquence he recited the wrongs which 
the Roman people had heaped upon him ; he 
recounted, also, the injuries which they had 
inflicted upon the neighboring nations, and 
besought those whom he addressed to aid his 
cause, and, at the same time, take revenge 
for the evils which they had so long endured. 



800 Stories of Rome. 

The Yeientians, who entertained an impla- 
cable hatred for the Romans, were easily per- 
suaded to lend their aid to Tarquinius. They 
even seemed gratified at having so favorable 
an opportunity of punishing their ancient ene- 
my. The Tarquinians had never yet had oc- 
casion to try their strength with Rome, and 
were therefore more willing to listen to the 
entreaties of their countryman, Tarquinius. 
Two powerful armies were thus raised, and 
the infuriated tyrant placing himself at their 
head, set forth in high hopes of bringing Rome 
submissively to his feet. 

Brutus and his colleague Yalerius, apprized 
of the great preparations made by Tarquinius, 
assembled a large body of soldiers to meet 
him. Yalerius took command of the in- 
fantry ; and Brutus at the head of the cavalry, 
advanced towards the enemy. The horse of 
the opposing army were in charge of Aruns, 
the king's son, and they, also, in advance of 
their own infantry, marched towards the bat- 
tle-field. As soon as the two bodies of cav- 
alry became visible to each other, Aruns 
readily perceived by the presence of the lie- 
tors, that the Roman horse were led on by 
one of the consuls. The distance between 
them becoming gradually less and less, Aruns 



Tarquinius Superbus. 301 

recognized the face of Brutus. The sight of 
this man and the memory of the punishment 
which he had inflicted upon the royal family, 
roused Aruns to such a pitch of fury that he 
could no longer remain patiently at the head 
of his troops. Darting forward, his face in- 
flamed with rage, he exclaimed, " Behold the 
man who has driven us as exiles from our 
country ; see how he marches in state, deco- 
rated with our ensigns ; ye gods, avengers of 
kings, assist me !" Then furiously spurring 
his horse, he dashed, spear in hand, towards 
the Eoman consul. Brutus watching the mo- 
tions of his enemy, easily divined his inten- 
tions. Careless of his own safety, or perhaps 
resolved on death, he also rushed forward to 
the conflict. Both armies halted involuntarily 
to see the issue of the contest. Onward flew 
the combatants ; the one burning with deadly 
hatred, the other consumed with grief and 
burdened with life. They met. Their horses 
stopped as if suddenly paralyzed, and the 
two foemen, pierced through buckler and 
body by each other's spears, rolled dead upon 
the' ground. Then the two armies sent forth 
a scream of rage, that made the hills and val- 
leys echo ; and they dashed upon each other 
more like demons than men. The ground was 



302 Stoeies of Rome. 

soon covered witli bleeding and dead men ; 
and noble steeds were everywliere struggling 
in tbe pangs of death. 

In a short time, Yaleriiis appeared with his 
large bands of infantry ; and the Yeientian 
and Tarqninian infantry were not long in 
reaching the battle-field. The sight of the 
carnage only served to render them more 
eager for the combat. The battle was speed- 
ily resumed, and for a long time the result 
seemed quite uncertain. On both sides, the 
slaughter was fearfal. Finally the Yeientians 
gave way. The Romans took advantage of 
the propitious moment, and succeeded in 
throwing them into the utmost confusion. The 
Tarquinians, who seemed hitherto sure of vic- 
tory, became disheartened by the dispersion 
of their allies. The night advanced. The 
Romans elated by success, fought with undi- 
minished ardor ; but as soon as the darkness 
offered an opportunity, Tarquinius and his 
hitherto sanguine friends fled terrified, to their 
respective homes. 

When morning came, the Romans found 
themselves the undisputed masters of the 
field. The booty was carefully collected, and 
the bodies of the dead decently buried. The 
remains of Brutus were carried to Rome, and 



Tarquinius Superbus. 303 

lionored with a funeral as magnificent as had 
ever been granted to any of their kings ; and 
it is said that the women of Rome, in token 
of their gratitude for what he had done in 
behalf of their sex, wore badges of mourning 
for him during a whole year. 

Tarquinius was much discouraged by the 
failure of this enterprise, still he hoped that 
he would ultimately succeed. The Yeientians 
and Tarquinians, were now more deeply inter- 
ested in his cause ; at least, they were ex- 
ceedingly anxious to efface the memory of 
the disgrace into which the Roman arms had 
thrown them. Together with Tarquinius they 
carried their complaints to Lars Porsenna, 
king of Clusium. They besought him not to 
permit the citizens of their common country 
to linger miserably in poverty and exile. 
They warned him of the evils which would 
certainly result from the practice of dethron- 
ing kings with impunity ; urging that regal 
authority, so highly esteemed among gods 
and men, would speedily come to an- end. 
Their arguments were not in vain, and Por- 
senna determined that Rome should have a 
king, and that this king should be of the Etru- 
rian race. 

The most active preparations were once 



304 Stories of Kome. 

more made for the overthrow of the Roman 
Hepublic. So powerful was the State of Clu- 
sium, and so dreadful was the name of Por- 
senna, that the Roman Senate feared and 
trembled for the safety of their citj. A crisis 
in their affairs was certainly at hand ; within 
the walls of Rome were elements of destruc- 
tion almost as formidable as any that existed 
abroad. 

These elements were becoming manifest. 
Porsenna came. The fertile fields and numer- 
ous flocks all o'er the Roman territory were 
abandoned. Their keepers and proprietors 
fled for safety within the walls, and Rome 
seemed upon the very verge of annihilation. 
But the new troubles into which the nation 
was plunged, and the history of their con- 
test with the famous Porsenna, belong to the 
Stories of the Roman Republic. 

It is sufficient to say, that Tarquinius gain- 
ed no advantage from any of his intrigues. 
One by one, he witnessed the destruction of 
the members of his numerous family j and, 
retiring to the distant city of Cumae, he died 
at last unheeded and unwept. 



THE END. 

H 117 89 im 







■* AT "^vi 



♦ ^i?" ^^. 














,<f ^♦^ . 







-ov^' • 



• It o 



>- *; 

















^oV^ 










Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process 

, ,,.„_. „ -c^vxr-.' " Neutralizing agent: Maanesium Oxide 

"•.TT^'^O^ ^^ **77.»* ^i Treatment Date: ^Qy ^^ 

u aO f!.*.°- <?^ v"" PresenfationTechnologJes 

* 'i^ »!y * A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATIO^ 

, ^\* ** 111 Thomson Park Drive 




,*^-"* 






Cranberry Township, PA 1605S 
(724)779-2111 










HECKMAN 

BINDERY INC. 

^OCT 89 



N. MANCHESTER, 
INDIANA 46962 



^^\ 



